Formation of the Lebanese government
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s visit to France
Tunisia
Chad
Georgia
Ambassador Zimeray’s mission to Sri Lanka (November 5-7)
Iran/ Nuclear
France/ Iran
Formation of the Lebanese government
I welcome the announcement of the formation of a national unity government in Lebanon and renew France’s confidence in and support for Prime Minister Saad Hariri.
After the smoothly-run June 7 general election and all the parties’ recognition of its results, the formation of the government again shows the Lebanese people’s sense of responsibility.
As I reiterated to all the country’s political leaders during my visit to Beirut a fortnight ago, forming a new government was necessary to take up the important challenges confronting Lebanon: ensure the country’s stability and security, carry out the reforms agreed at the International Conference on Aid to Lebanon of January 2007 (Paris III) and carry on applying the United Nations resolutions, especially UNSCR 1701.
Saad Hariri and his government can count on the resolute support of France, which will continue its efforts to promote Lebanon’s unity, stability, sovereignty and independence.
With this in mind, France remains committed to UNIFIL and renews its support for the Special Tribunal for Lebanon.
I applaud Fouad Siniora’s achievements and reiterate my wholehearted support for President Suleiman and all the Lebanese institutions.
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s visit to France
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s visit to France from November 12-13 falls within the framework of the constructive dynamics of the new Franco-Syrian relationship.
The meeting between the two Heads of State and the working lunch following the meeting will of course focus on the major regional challenges.
Strengthening bilateral Franco-Syrian relations in economic and cultural areas will also be discussed by the President of the Republic and his Syrian counterpart. The agreement between the European Union and the problems that have been encountered will also be addressed.
This visit follows the Syrian President’s visit to France in July 2008 for the Paris Summit during which he took part in the launch of the Union for the Mediterranean. The President of the Republic went to Syria in September 2008 and January 2009. Bernard Kouchner has made three visits to Damascus since August 2008. He received his Syrian counterpart Walid al-Mouallem on September 29.
We have always supported the prospect of this agreement. The Swedish president proposed that the signing of this agreement should take place in October; the Syrians preferred to postpone signing the agreement. They should discuss the matter internally in Syria, and agree on other dates with the Swedish presidency.
Will human rights and the issue of Lebanese citizens detained in Syrian prisons be addressed?
There are no issues that are taboo with our Syrian meeting partners. We give our opinion on many topics. We recently gave our opinion about a specific case. […] We always have our concern for human rights in mind and discussing it is never taboo.
Senator Marini explained at a press briefing yesterday that, in the report that he gave to the President of the Republic, he recommended a Franco-Turkish partnership to mediate between Syria and Israel. Are you considering such an initiative?
Any efforts that may restart, relaunch the peace negotiations and the dynamics of dialogue for negotiations in the region are not only welcomed but supported by Paris. We must spare no effort. The contribution that a country as important as Turkey could bring is welcome, as Bernard Kouchner reaffirmed at the joint press conference with his Turkish counterpart.
The minister spoke this morning on the radio and addressed various issues, including the case of Ben Brik in Tunisia. He demanded that Tunisia refrain from arresting journalists. What means can France use to bring pressure to bear regarding this case? With regard to the case of Ben Brik, is it a French or European initiative?
The minister announced our disappointment regarding this issue. I would like to remind you that we signaled our concern as early as last week. We are discussing the matter with our European partners who have been informed of the situation. This morning the minister highlighted France’s concern regarding this issue, our attachment to the freedom of the press and our desire to find a swift solution to this matter. The news regarding Ben Brik’s state of health is concerning, his family is worried. We have expressed our concerns to the Tunisian authorities.
Do you have any information on a French Red Cross worker who is reported to have been kidnapped by armed men in Chad today?
We have been informed by both the International Committee of the Red Cross in Geneva and by the local branch of the ICRC in Ndjamena. Our ambassador in Ndjamena relayed the information to us this morning. We are actively trying to gather as much information as possible regarding the current situation of our compatriot. We are in close contact with the ICRC, in Geneva and in Chad. The Minister of Foreign and European Affairs’ Crisis Center has also been focusing its efforts on this issue since this morning. We are actively trying to obtain information from any source that may be able to provide information on the situation of our compatriot.
What are the circumstances surrounding the kidnapping?
For the moment, we do not have many details. We are currently contacting all those persons, whether on the ground or in Geneva, who might be able to give us as much information as possible. We are at a stage when we are mobilizing efforts and gathering information and details, in order that our compatriot can be released as soon as possible. Our appeal stresses the humanitarian nature of our compatriot’s work.
Russia has allocated two regional telephone numbers to Abkhazia and Ossetia. What is France’s reaction?
Our position hasn’t changed, we reaffirmed it a few weeks ago when the report on the circumstances that led to the events in August 2008 was issued. We are attached to the integrity of Georgia.
When these problems occur, it is essential to encourage all parties to find solutions. Achieving a solution to the issue of Georgia and its relations with its neighbor, Russia, involves the reaffirmation of certain principles but dialogue is, in particular, also required. We therefore urge all parties to engage in dialogue as quickly as possible.
Ambassador Zimeray’s mission to Sri Lanka (November 5-7)
At Bernard Kouchner’s request, Human Rights Ambassador François Zimeray visited Sri Lanka from November 5-7,
During this visit he was received by members of the government, including the Foreign Minister, the Secretary of State for Defense, the Minister for Resettlement and Disaster Relief Services, the Health Minister, as well as the Attorney General.
He also met with representatives from the UN agencies and international organizations, representatives from the main local and international NGOs present on the ground, as well as from human rights associations.
During this visit, he went to the Vavuniya and Menik Farm refugee camps. He also visited the reception center for child soldiers.
Mr. Zimeray asked all these meeting partners for information, accounts and plans that might speed up the voluntary return of the displaced persons to adequately safe situations where respect for human dignity is guaranteed.
The Human Rights Ambassador reaffirmed France’s priorities and demands: the need for independent and impartial inquiries into all the violations of humanitarian law and human rights committed by all parties during and after the conflict; the importance of combating impunity and the exposure of human rights violations. He demanded that the rule of law be reinstated and that fundamental freedoms be respected, in particular the freedom of movement and the freedom of expression.
François Zimeray urged the Sri Lankan authorities to end the state of emergency and to provide the humanitarian organizations with unrestricted access to the camps for displaced persons.
Are you able to tell us yet about the sanctions that will follow the discussion phases?
You probably heard Bernard Kouchner’s comments when he was asked about this issue this morning.
We are waiting, on the one hand, for Iran’s response to Mr. ElBaradei regarding the proposal agreements that were put on the table in Vienna concerning the enrichment of Iranian uranium for scientific purposes. Secondly, we are also waiting for a new meeting to be arranged with Iran with “3+3” Group.
As we wait for these responses, we are in very close contact with all our partners: with the partners who were also in Vienna for this negotiation on uranium enrichment, and with partners involved in the more general and political dialogue on the Iranian nuclear issue.
Regarding the draft agreement on enrichment, we would like Iran to give a positive response as quickly as possible to Mr. ElBaradei concerning the proposals that were made.
How long are you planning to wait for a response?
The minister also gave his opinion on this matter last week. We always have to give the potential for dialogue a chance, provided it doesn’t take forever. We are therefore also consulting with our partners with regard to these issues.
You just said that a meeting is being prepared. Can you give us a date?
I have never mentioned that a meeting is being prepared. I said that we were waiting for a new meeting. We are waiting to hear what Tehran will decide, so that we can have another meeting with the Iranians, similar to the one that took place in Geneva on October 1.
The minister spoke about Clotilde Reiss this morning; he talked about the guarantees that Iran was meant to give that Clotilde Reiss would not be arrested when she responds to questioning at the revolutionary court. Does France have written guarantees from Iran?
As the minister said this morning, it is within this context that Clotilde Reiss will be able to leave the embassy, i.e. that we are sure that after this court appearance, she will be able to return to the embassy, or return directly to France, since we expect the Iranian courts to find her innocent. We can never repeat enough that she is innocent.