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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.] WORLD WATER DAY (MARCH 22, 2008)
This year’s World Water Day, celebrated on March 22, comes within the context of the International Year of Sanitation declared by the UN.
In 2007, France allocated 400 million euros to water as part of its public aid package; 140 million of that went for access to sanitation. The French Development Agency was thus able to supply drinking water to an additional 4 million people and to give a million people access to sanitation. Nearly 20% of the Foreign and European Ministry’s humanitarian emergency fund goes toward actions in the water and sanitation sector.
All French players in the water and sanitation sector (the State, local communities, businesses, research institutes, NGOs) are taking part in this effort and have established a French Water Partnership whose objective is to promote France’s considerable know-how and concepts in this field. The Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs as well as the Ministry of the Environment, Energy, Sustainability and Regional Development are participating fully in this.
On the occasion of World Water Day, Foreign Minister Kouchner will receive Alain Boinet, the director of the NGO Solidarités, who will give him a petition on water access and a report on water-related mortality.
Q - The UN has said that violence against civilians during three attacks by the Sudanese army on Darfuri villages was a “deliberate military strategy.” What is your reaction?
On several occasions, France has condemned the violence against civilians in western Darfur since the month of February.
We are concerned by the recent deterioration of the situation in Darfur, which has severe humanitarian consequences for the people there and has resulted in tens of thousands of additional refugees and displaced persons.
We call on the Sudanese authorities to respect their obligations concerning the protection of civilian populations in accordance with international humanitarian law, and to guarantee the free access of humanitarian workers.
Q - What is your reaction to Chad’s expulsion of the journalist Sonia Rolley, despite President Sarkozy’s interventions on her behalf?
We regret it. We had intervened at different levels and on several occasions with Chad’s authorities to dissuade them from taking a decision leading to Ms. Rolley’s departure.
[…]
Q - Do you have any details on the modalities for receiving Iraqi Chaldeans in France, per the principle announced by Mr. Kouchner yesterday? Are these Iraqi Christians who were already refugees in other countries or in Kurdistan, or were they living in the Arab regions of Iraq? How will the people who can leave for France be selected?
France has decided to take part in the international effort on behalf of Iraqi refugees and displaced persons. To this end, it announced the criteria that would be used, in accordance with current law, to receive these people in France: -civil status -family ties with France -knowledge of the French language -cultural ties with France -alleged persecution or threats, notably connected to their religion.
Q - Is the African Union’s military intervention project for Anjouan still on? Has a date been set? Is a diplomatic solution still being considered?
Yes, this project is still on. The mobilization of troops from four countries “friendly to the Comoros” is continuing, with AU support. The transport of African troops to Mohéli began today.
Nevertheless, we still favor dialogue and a peaceful resolution to the crisis, as we have said. To that end, Colonel Bacar must immediately confirm his agreement to hold timely elections in Anjouan and to allow the AU troops to take up their positions at Anjouan’s port and airport to prepare for the securing of elections.
Q - Germany has decided to freeze its economic development talks with China. On Monday, the Netherlands summoned the Chinese ambassador to The Hague. The United Kingdom has decided to meet with the Dalai Lama at the highest level. Is France planning to make a concrete gesture, like its European partners, to express its concern over the situation in Tibet?
Last Friday we expressed our urgent concerns to the Chinese authorities. As the minister said, we are listening to all proposals and next week we will discuss them with our European partners.
Q - Might France prevent the passage of the Olympic torch through its territory if the situation continues to deteriorate in Tibet?
That’s not our idea. The Olympic torch is a universal symbol of the Olympic spirit that must be preserved.
Q - Are we to understand that you are not considering any concrete bilateral measures similar to those already taken by Berlin, The Hague and London?
I have nothing to add to what I have already said.
Q - Do you have a position on the referendum slated to be held in Taiwan on that country’s entry into the UN under that name?
As the President has already had the opportunity to indicate, France’s position on this issue is very clear and remains unchanged. France is firmly opposed to the organization of a referendum on accession to the UN under the name Taiwan. It is a useless, regrettable exercise. We are opposed to any unilateral initiative liable to challenge the status quo. We must promote dialogue, cooperation and the stability of the region.
For France, there is only one China. Taiwan is an integral part of China.
Let me remind you, incidentally, that the EU published a communiqué on March 6 expressing its concern over holding a referendum on Taiwan’s accession to the UN.
[…] ./.
Embassy of France, March 20, 2008
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