Iran / Clotilde Reiss
Human rights ambassador François Zimeray’s mission to Colombia
Municipal elections in Kosovo
World Summit on Food Security
Official Development Assistance
Middle East
New IAEA report on Iran
Georgia
Iran / Clotilde Reiss
Can you tell us the latest developments in the case of Clotilde Reiss? What happened with the hearing that was supposed to take place today?
I can confirm that Clotilde Reiss appeared before the judge this morning. She left [the courtroom] freely, in keeping with her bail arrangement. She was accompanied by her attorney, by France’s ambassador to Tehran, and by the Embassy’s first counselor.
Did the Iranian judge issue any rulings at the end of this hearing? Are we waiting for an upcoming decision? Did the Iranian judge provide any details on the charges, the potential verdict and the sentence she could receive?
The judge indicated that she could be re-convened for another hearing. We will see if and when that happens. As far as we are concerned, we want her innocence to be acknowledged and she must be allowed to return to France.
For now, is she still at the French Embassy in Tehran?
She returned to the French Embassy in Tehran after her hearing before the judge.
The Iranian president mentioned her case a month ago; he spoke of exchanging her for two Iranians who are in France.
I would like to refer you to the very clear remarks made by President Sarkozy and the foreign minister in that regard.
Human rights ambassador François Zimeray’s mission to Colombia
François Zimeray was in Columbia from November 11-14. During his visit, the human rights ambassador notably took part in a seminar on “Strengthening justice for victims” and delivered the closing speech.
During his mission, the ambassador spoke with local authorities and civil society representatives. These meetings showcased the commitment by officials and the justice department to fight impunity, respect human rights, and combat the continuation of grave and massive human rights violations.
In keeping with Bernard Kouchner’s commitment to all those fighting and often risking their lives to defend human rights, and who should know that our embassies will provide assistance in case of need, Mr. Zimeray visited the headquarters of the NGO Peace Brigade International, in Bogotá on November 13. There he met with journalist Claudia Julieta Duque, who has been received threats since 2001 as a result of her investigations. He paid tribute to PBI’s staff for their courageous, determined efforts to support human rights defenders who are physically threatened or whose work is threatened. He assured them of France’s support.
The first round of Kosovo’s municipal elections—the first elections since the country became independent—was held under satisfactory conditions and without any notable incidents.
Many members of the Serb minority went to the polls, particularly in the municipalities created to allow them greater participation in Kosovo’s public life. This vote therefore reflects the success of the decentralization policy carried out by the Kosovo authorities and marks a new stage in the country’s democratic consolidation.
We encourage the authorities in Pristina to pursue, both on the national level and the municipal level, the efforts they have undertaken to strengthen the rule of law with a view to Kosovo’s future within Europe.
We welcome the adoption of a statement during the FAO Summit in Rome, making it possible to implement the Global Partnership for Agriculture and Food Security proposed by President Sarkozy in June 2008.
France remains fully mobilized in the fight against global hunger, as reaffirmed yesterday by Bruno Le Maire, Minister for Food, Agriculture and Fisheries, during his address at the FAO forum.
The adoption of this statement is however only one stage in a long process. We want to go further. Yesterday France and Brazil proposed, in a joint statement, that a two-year road map for food security be swiftly debated and adopted by the reformed Committee on World Food Security. This road map should be shared by all stakeholders. It should strengthen the long-term vision for achieving a sustainable, adequate and healthy food supply by 2050 and prompt the joint review of food security policies.
I would also like to remind you that the sudden and significant rise in the price of food on the world markets at the beginning of 2008 had a major impact on the food security of households in countries that are dependent on these markets for their supply. This global crisis prompted a healthy international debate in which France played an active role. Through the President of the Republic it proposed international mobilization within the framework of a Global Partnership for Agriculture and Food Security, clearly emphasizing the need for action:
1) In developing countries, with regard to household revenues through growth and employment, in agriculture and in other sectors, with regard to the resumption of food production and with regard to taking care of vulnerable populations.
2) At the global level, through increased attention to the consequences of decisions regarding energy, trade and agriculture on food security for the most vulnerable populations and the whole world. At the same time, France has pledged to increase its aid to regional food and agricultural security policies, in West Africa in particular, given that the development of local and regional markets was part of the solution to the problems that arose due to the volatility of world markets. Aid for investment in agriculture in developing countries increased in 2008 and 2009. AFD’s (French Development Agency) new commitments have been and will be in line with a fixed goal: €1 billion over 5 years just for Africa. France participated in global efforts by contributing more than €400 million in bilateral commitments for agriculture in 2008. At the bilateral level, France contributed €52 million in food aid and increased its budgetary aid to the most affected countries by €20 million, which is more than the two-fold increase in aid that was announced.
Through AFD, France was involved in the creation of an African Agriculture Investment Fund (AAIF), developed on the initiative of the ADB, IFAD, AGRA and sub-regional African banks. The AAIF will support private, national and international investors. It will become operational at the end of 2009 and will have €200 million in capital. France has continued its efforts to support agricultural research and training in developing countries in order to increase their production and help them adapt to climate change (€90 million in 2008).
It should also be reiterated that under the French presidency of the EU Council, an additional European facility for a rapid response to the crisis, benefitting from €1 billion in funding over 3 years was approved and implemented. With regard to the multilateral organizations to which it belongs, France has increased its contribution to the replenishment of the International Fund for Agricultural Development to €35 million (compared with €23 million for the previous replenishment). It resolutely supports the reform of the FAO, an organization that has a vital mandate and which must guide international mobilization.
Official Development Assistance
France is meeting the President of the Republic’s commitment to increase its Official Development Assistance (ODA) despite the difficult budgetary situation of which you are aware.
Overall, our ODA funding will be higher in 2010 than 2009. We are the 4th leading donor in the world. Our ODA for 2009 is €8.46 billion. In 2010 it will be between €8.66 and €9.36 billion, depending on debt cancellation.
This would put us in a range of between 0.44% and 0.48% of GNI in 2010 compared with 0.39% in 2009 and 0.38% in 2008.
Thus, the budget proposal adopted by the National Assembly and which will shortly be presented to the Senate includes a 10% increase in budgetary provisions for payment appropriations.
40% of our assistance is granted through international organizations such as the European Union (€1.9 billion of which a lesser share is allocated to the European Development Fund and a greater share is allocated to the Community’s budget), the World Bank (€0.2 billion), the United Nations (€0.2 billion), and the Global Fund to fight HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria (€300 billion).
60% of our assistance is devoted to a wide range of bilateral initiatives. These include in particular debt cancellation, the reception of refugees and project aid.
In terms of geographic area, France focuses its assistance efforts on sub-Saharan Africa and the least advanced countries. Thus, 60% of State investment through AFD is devoted to sub-Saharan Africa.
This geographical concentration is combined with a sectoral concentration based on the Millennium Development Goals: health, education and vocational training, agriculture and food security, sustainable development and support for growth.
There was a pledge to increase assistance from 0.4% to 0.7% of GNP?
Yes, by 2015. We are on track, in an economic and budgetary situation that is not easy. But that shows that when we talk about mobilization and momentum it is reflected in the figures. Behind these figures, there is the money from the French taxpayers. It is important for the French authorities, for Bernard Kouchner, Alain Joyandet and Pierre Lellouche in terms of the European aspects of this Official Development Assistance. These really are priorities. It is not easy given the challenges that we must overcome. We intend to achieve this goal.
The minister is in Jordan today. He would like to convince Mr. Abbas to remain in office and also to perhaps abandon the idea of a unilateral declaration of a Palestinian State. What means can France now use to convince the Palestinians?
Bernard Kouchner undertook this trip with a single objective, and this is the objective of the French authorities and the French Foreign Ministry: to try everything to relaunch the peace process, the negotiations. You will have followed the many visits that we have hosted recently. Please refer to the various interviews that the minister gave to the Israeli press on Sunday and in Al-Quds today. You also know that the President of the Republic is in Saudi Arabia. The objective is to resume negotiations and thus prompt constructive dynamics to promote peace. If there are efforts of persuasion to be made, then it is here with all of the representatives, all of the stakeholders and actors.
Regarding the Palestinian State, I would like to confirm that we have continuously supported the creation of a viable Palestinian State. This State must eventually be recognized by the international community. A unilateral declaration is still theoretical for now. The declaration and recognition of a Palestinian State can only be considered in an abstract way, irrespective of the other elements that are meant to result in the construction of a viable State, including in particular inter-Palestinian reconciliation and the issue of settlements.
When you talk about the dynamics of dialogue, what does that involve? Does it involve the convening of an international conference or meetings with experts?
The resumption of dialogue in any format is welcome and is a good thing. Once people begin to talk with each other in order to achieve something, to be constructive, to discuss peace, how it can be achieved, what to do to achieve it, that is all positive for us, whatever the format - conferences, meetings or anything else. Let me remind you that in August the President of the Republic proposed a conference. For now our efforts are focused on meeting with all of the parties to ask them to talk with their representatives. The security and the stability of the region are at stake, as well as the future of the people who live there and the development of the region. If we can help, if we can host a conference, convey messages, or encourage meetings, all methods are welcome provided that they are useful.
Why does France not support resolution 1947 which aims to create two independent States, one Arab and one Jewish?
This is a serious issue and must be discussed seriously. Yesterday, in response to your question, we repeatedly reaffirmed the urgent need for the creation of a viable, independent and democratic Palestinian State, living in peace alongside Israel, with secure and recognized borders, based on the UNSC resolutions and the Arab peace initiative. Two years ago we organized an International Donors' Conference for the Palestinian State in Paris which made it possible to mobilize major funding. Today, the question is how to encourage its creation. We want to make serious efforts to achieve success. The first step for us is the resumption of the dynamics of peace in the Middle East. The French authorities and the French Foreign Ministry have been mobilizing efforts in this regard for several days now. France is working in this direction. The objective is first of all peace in the region, stability in the region, development of the region. As for the creation of a Palestinian State, we have always been in favor of that and we have never changed our position.
The IAEA’s report was released yesterday. In the report the Agency mentions a statement made by Iran concerning a uranium enrichment plant that had not been previously declared. The Agency is worried about Iran’s statements which are, as a result, less credible. It is worried that there are potentially other activities that Iran has not declared. What is France’s position given these concerns?
The agency’s report is clear: Iran is continuing to refuse to fully cooperate with the IAEA in order to provide transparency regarding its past and current nuclear activities, and to reestablish confidence in the exclusively peaceful nature of its nuclear program.
The agency therefore notes in particular that Iran is continuing to stockpile low-enriched uranium, in violation of the resolutions of the United Nations Security Council and the IAEA Board of Governors, that it has built the secret enrichment facility in Qom in violation of its safeguards agreement, and that it is still not responding to the Agency’s specific questions regarding its activities that may be linked to the design and manufacture of nuclear weapons.
This is in addition to the lack of a satisfactory response from Iran to the IAEA’s proposal to supply the research reactor in Tehran and to take part in a new meeting with the Six concerning its nuclear program.
The Six stated in New York on September 23 that they were expecting a serious response from Iran to the international community’s demands and that, based on that, they would decide on the consequences that should follow. The Six have demonstrated a great deal of patience until now. We are urging Iran to very quickly choose cooperation.
Four school children were imprisoned by police in Ossetia on the pretext that they were carrying firecrackers. What is your comment when EU representatives recently made a visit there?
The ambassadors of the 27 went to the area; that demonstrates our interest in the situation and this issue. This is a sign of the interest that the Europeans in general, and in particular the French, have in the development of the situation on the ground.
In general, - I will not go back to the key role that France was able to play a little over a year go during the crisis in this region – we have always made efforts to ease tensions. That is the essential thing. There is another component to this. We disagree with anything that does not move towards easing tensions. We can only deplore, or if necessary condemn, initiatives that do not move towards easing tensions. I would also like to reaffirm that there is a framework for discussion. There were discussions between the Russian and Georgian delegations two weeks ago in Geneva within the framework of regular bilateral meetings between the representatives of the two countries in Geneva. We encourage both parties to continue on the path of dialogue. When there are incidents of this type, discussions between Russia and Georgia should take place within this framework. Mutual recriminations must stop. Russia and Georgia must make a real commitment. This is what we are seeing in Geneva within the framework of reconciliation and the easing of tensions, and we welcome this.
Finally, I would like to reaffirm that our position has not changed concerning the basic issue. We are attached to the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Georgia. That is the fundamental element of our position.