Gambia / Freedom of the press
Lebanon / UNIFIL
Middle East
Sahel
Gambia / Freedom of the press
France firmly disapproves of the Banjul High Court’s sentencing of six Gambian journalists to heavy prison terms and fines for criticizing the Gambian President.
France reiterates its commitment to freedom of expression and its corollary, freedom of the press, and calls on the Gambian authorities to comply fully with the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights to which Gambia is party.
What is the French position on changes in the rules of engagement of UNIFIL, which operates in South Lebanon? They are to be discussed at a Security Council meeting on extending the mandate of this UN force, slated for the end of the month.
Discussions at the UN Security Council on the renewal of UNIFIL’s mandate have not yet begun. We will approach them in the spirit expressed by Bernard Kouchner on July 21: “The mandate was very well designed, it is extremely solid and, with UNIFIL and its equipment, we can get along. We support renewing UNIFIL’s mandate. It’s scheduled for the month of August. No changes in the mandate are being considered.”
The Palestinian Fatah party holds Israel responsible for the death of its founder and historic leader, Yasser Arafat, who spent his final days in France. What is your response? Was there an investigation at the Val-de-Grâce hospital where he was treated during his final days?
I can’t comment on such allegations.
As for your second question, Mr. Arafat’s medical file was turned over to his family after his death at the Percy hospital in Clamart on November 11, 2004.
Will the meeting in Bamako between President Touré and Mr. Joyandet on the Sahel be followed by French aid (logistics, training, etc.) for the countries concerned by this problem— Mali, Niger and Mauritania?
France is very closely following the evolution of the security situation in the Sahel-Sahara region. The strengthened terrorist threat represented by al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb and the rapid increase in trafficking threaten regional stability.
As these are cross-border threats, they call for a regional response, which we encourage.
On a bilateral basis, we offer our full support to the vulnerable nations of the Sahel so that they may bolster the exercise of their sovereignty throughout their territory. Furthermore, at the behest of the French presidency a year ago, the European Union is working on a concerted approach in the area combining security and development./.