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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.] (…)
France deplores the violent incidents that have occurred in the last few days in Port-au-Prince and other cities in Haiti, causing the deaths of several people. It calls for a prompt return to calm.
These demonstrations were a protest against the “dear cost of living,” that is, the increase in the price of foodstuffs which severely affects the poorest Haitians.
We understand the great difficulties the people face in their daily lives, but the Haitian people have nothing to gain by a return to disorder and violence.
We deplore the attacks on MINUSTAH, the UN stabilization mission in Haiti, which is playing a key role to improve security and strengthen the rule of law.
France supports the efforts of Mr. Préval’s government to identify practical responses to the difficulties linked to rising food prices (boosting farm production, support for popular canteens, launch of labor-intensive activities). We’ve recently taken a decision to grant Haiti one million euros in aid of which 800,000 will be in food aid.
We are following the situation of the French community very closely and have urged people to limit their movements. As a precaution, the French cultural institute and lycée have been closed temporarily.
Q - What’s your response to the brother of the prosecution witness in Rafik Hariri’s assassination who has accused the French authorities of facilitating Mr. al Saddiq’s disappearance or “liquidating” him? Have the French authorities been officially contacted by the witness’s brothers?
I formally deny the accusations you referred to in your first question. I also understand that Mr. al Saddiq also denied in a Kuwaiti newspaper the rumors of his alleged death.
With regard to your second question, our consul in Damascus met today with Mr. al Saddiq’s brothers who presented him with a letter asking for information on their brother’s fate.
Q - Mr. al Saddiq claims in a Kuwaiti newspaper, Asyassa, that he left France because he’d been the target of three assassination attempts in France. Do you confirm that?
I can tell you today that Mr. al Saddiq actually left France on March 13. He was not under judicial supervision and was free to go as he pleased. We informed the police commissariat in Chatou of his presence because he’d mentioned threats against him.
Q - Is France still in contact with all the Lebanese parties, including parliamentary speaker Nabih Berri? What’s your reaction to his call to re-establish inter-Lebanese dialogue?
France is in contact with all the Lebanese parties. We’ve said all along that we were in favor of inter-Lebanese dialogue, the only way to reach a peaceful negotiated solution to the political crisis. But we’ve also said that there had to be an end to the blocking of Lebanese institutions, beginning with Parliament.
Q - Can you tell us what the minister said about Nabih Berri?
The minister said that he’d not been informed of Nabih Berri’s plan to visit France. Naturally he will be received if he comes to Paris.
Q - What’s your reaction to the launch of a boycott of companies complicit in the genocide in Darfur, in which companies sponsoring the Olympic Games in Beijing have been cited?
I’ve no particular comment on this operation but I’d like to remind you of France’s commitment to a political solution in Darfur, to the protection of civilians and the improvement of the humanitarian situation.
Q - Can you tell us about the plane crash yesterday in Peru which killed five French people?
The Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs fully mobilized on learning of this tragic accident. The crisis unit was in touch with our embassy in Lima which is in close contact with the local authorities.
We’re endeavoring with the help of the prefectural authorities to locate the victims’ families and friends so they can be informed immediately./.
Embassy of France, April 10, 2008
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