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Daily Press Briefing Statements made by [Please note that only the original French text issued by the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs may be considered official.]
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COMPREHENSIVE NUCLEAR TEST-BAN TREATY
Ten years ago, on April 6, 1998, France filed its instrument of ratification of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) with the UN secretary-general in New York. The UK took the same step simultaneously.
These two countries are the first nuclear-weapon states to ratify the CTBT, thereby demonstrating their commitment to the Treaty.
France’s ratification came after a series of substantive decisions to advance nuclear disarmament: the ending of nuclear tests in 1996; dismantling the nuclear test center in the Pacific; and dismantling the fissile material production facilities at Pierrelatte and Marcoule. France is the only state to have made such decisions.
France remains strongly committed to the entry into force of the CTBT. On March 21 President Sarkozy, speaking in Cherbourg, proposed a plan of action for nuclear disarmament. One of the steps in this plan of action is for the CTBT to be ratified as quickly as possible. The nine states whose ratification is essential for the Treaty to enter into force and which haven’t yet proceeded with ratification, have a special responsibility.
Q - Is the humanitarian mission sent by France to stay in Bogotá until the FARC allows it access to Franco-Colombian hostage Ingrid Betancourt? Even it if takes months?
As the minister has said on various occasion and again yesterday during the “white march,” the humanitarian mission is staying in Colombia. It is fully mobilized for the release of Ingrid Betancourt and the other hostages in Colombia.
Our intensive mobilization is also matched among the public and many prominent persons in France and the world. The “white march” held in Paris and several cities in France yesterday, showed this. We thank in particular Argentine President Fernandez de Kirchner for her solidarity and support.
Q - There’s apparently “only one Ukrainian” and not a dozen or us on board the French luxury yacht seized by pirates off Somalia. Do you confirm this?
It is not customary in such cases to give out information on the identity or civil status of the persons involved.
Q - Can you confirm that a GIGN [Gendarmerie commando] team has been sent to Djibouti where it’ll be ready to intervene if negotiations with the pirates collapse? What’s the status of the negotiations at this time? What other measures have been taken by the French authorities?
Our priority is the safety of the hostages.
We confirm that a GIGN team has been sent to Djibouti to reinforce our negotiating team who are already in place.
We are following the movements of the Ponant at sea and in the air. The frigate Le Commandant Bouan has been instructed to track it at sea and reconnaissance aircraft are flying over the pirate ship for information.
Initial contact with the pirates was made last night. We had confirmation that the crew was safe and sound and well-treated.
The minister has asked our embassies in the region to mobilize and to make all the requisite contacts.
A crisis unit was activated Friday. We are in close contact with the ship’s owner and the crew members’ families.
Q - How are the families being informed about developments in the situation on the Ponant?
They are being kept informed by the ship’s owner and the Ministry’s crisis unit.
Q - The authorities in eastern Afghanistan accused the international coalition yesterday of killing some 30 civilians in an operation against Islamist insurgents. Do you have any comment?
I’ll look into it. We deplore the deaths of civilians in all circumstances in such operations.
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Q - Can you confirm that Bernard Kouchner and Rama Yade will attend the rally commemorating the Rwandan genocide in Paris this afternoon?
The minister of foreign and European affairs will attend a rally commemorating the Rwandan genocide this evening, in the 12th arrondissement in Paris at 7 pm.
Rama Yade will go to the ceremony that’s to be held at the Wall of Peace.
Q - According to corroborating information, an important witness in Rafik Hariri’s assassination, Zuheir Mohammad al-Siddiq, has fled French territory. Do you confirm this? If so, can you tell us what his destination was? Has the Lebanese government sent a second international warrant for him?
We are in the process of checking all this information.
Q - Do you have any comment on the meeting between Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert?
We fully support the political process which the Israeli prime minister and Palestinian Authority president have started boldly and with determination since Annapolis. Israelis and Palestinians must reach a historical compromise which will necessarily be difficult. We encourage them to continue resolutely to pursue the negotiations and move forward with a view to a final settlement before the end of 2008. This must first translate into tangible progress on the ground.
Q - Where will Mohammed Bacar be extradited to if the OFPRA rejects his bid for asylum? Is it conceivable he might be sent back to the Comoros, a country that has the death penalty? Have Mohamed Bacar’s assets been impounded in France? If so in what capacity?
We’re waiting until the current procedures have ended ./.
Embassy of France, April 7, 2008
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