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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.]
MINISTER’S VISIT TO KUWAIT FOR THE EXPANDED CONFERENCE OF IRAQ’S NEIGHBORS (April 21-22)
The minister took part in the third expanded ministerial conference of Iraq’s neighbors, which was held in Kuwait on Tuesday, April 22, in a sign of France’s support for the process of Iraq’s neighbors and regional dialogue. The minister said he hoped to see this regional process followed by actions and reaffirmed that France is willing to host, if necessary, a inter-Iraqi conference on entente that would be as broadly based as possible.
It was decided that the next ministerial conference of neighbors would be held in Baghdad.
A meeting on Lebanon was held on the sidelines of the conference. It allowed the international community to demonstrate its mobilization on behalf of Lebanon and its legitimate authorities.
The minister also had talks with American Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Mouallem and Iranian Foreign Minister Manoucher Mottaki among others.
Lastly the minister’s visit was an opportunity for talks with Kuwait Emir Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmed al-Sabah, Emirate Prime Minister Sheikh Nasser Mohammed al-Ahmad al-Sabah, and his counterpart Sheikh Mohammed Sabah al-Salem al-Sabah. These meetings confirmed that relations between France and Kuwait are excellent, and that we see eye to eye on most regional and international questions.
Q - Can you confirm the reports published in Paris this morning claiming that Israel gave France a message for Syria? Did Mr. Kouchner speak with Mr. Mouallem yesterday about the message which according to Le Figaro says that Israel threatens “in the event of another Hezbollah attack against our territory, the counterattack would not be Lebanon as in July 2006 but Damascus”?
There is nothing that permits me to confirm that.
(…)
Q - Can you confirm that France has granted political asylum to Georgian politician Irakly Okruashvili?
I refer you to OFPRA which decides any asylum requests independently, taking into account the Geneva Convention.
Q - Former Georgian Defense Minister Irakly Okruashvili, who’s in the opposition, has obtained political asylum in France. Does France consider that Georgia is persecuting the opposition and that Mr. Okruashvili would not have been safe in his country?
As I said in my preceding response, OFPRA makes its decisions independently.
For our part we call for the continuation of the dialogue between the Georgian authorities and opposition ahead of the legislative elections in May. We continue to encourage the Georgian authorities to strengthen the freedom and pluralism of the media, and the independence of the judicial authorities.
Q - Can you confirm that France is preparing a meeting between the French, Venezuelan and Colombian presidents which, according to former hostage Clara Rojas, is to take place “very soon” to develop a strategy that will establish contact with the FARC?
We do not confirm it but naturally we remain in contact with all who may be able to help in obtaining the release of the hostages held by the FARC.
Q - Do you confirm that the French government no longer has an interlocutor in the guerrilla movement since the death of its second-in-command Paul Reyes, as guerilla leader Ivan Marquze claims? Are the FARC refusing to designate a new interlocutor?
As you know, discretion is imperative in this kind of situation.
Q - Ayman al-Zawahri said that Lebanon was going to play a “pivotal role” in the fight against “the crusaders and Jews.” He’s urging people to get ready to go to Palestine and, he added, “expel the invading crusaders who pretend to be peacekeeping forces in Lebanon,” referring to UNIFIL. Have you taken steps in the wake of these threats?
France pays very close attention to the safety of UNIFIL troops who must be able to continue their peacekeeping mission and thereby contribute to maintaining stability in Lebanon and the region.
The Department of Peacekeeping Operations, which shares our vigilance, has taken the necessary measures to ensure the safety of the contingents with this force./.
Embassy of France, April 23, 2008
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