…Pakistan

Press briefing given by Foreign Ministry spokesperson, February 20, 2008
Q: What’s your reaction to the result of the legislative elections in Pakistan? Are you worried there’ll be a period of instability after the massive defeat of the president’s camp?
The legislative and provincial elections that were just held in Pakistan constituted a crucial step in strengthening democracy and calming the internal situation. They reflect the people’s support in the fight against extremism and terrorism.
We hope that Pakistan’s president and government work in a constructive spirit and with respect for institutions to meet the challenges, in stability, which Pakistan has to confront.
This great country is a vital partner in the region’s stability and in resolving the conflicts that beset it, in the first place the rise in terrorism, the scourge against which we wish to continue to cooperate with the new Pakistani government.

…United States

 Press briefing given by Foreign Ministry spokesperson, February 22, 2008
Q: About the destruction in space of the US satellite Thursday. You issued a communiqué about your security concerns…. Did you get assurances from the Americans that all the security procedures you’d sought were respected?
What we said was that we regretted the circumstances which had led the US to destroy this satellite. We certainly understood—it had been made very clear on the American side—that this was an exceptional case, and we trust the Americans to be vigilant with regard to people’s safety.
We learned with satisfaction that the operation was a complete success. That is what we’ve read in the press, and you too I imagine We hope-- I’ll say this again—that the consequences of destroying the satellite, specifically with regard to the security and integrity of other objects in space, will be reduced to the minimum.
Q: Other countries, particularly Russia and China, have expressed concern about a militarization of space and the development of anti-missile weapons, etc. Do you share these concerns or do you consider the firing was purely technical?
The circumstances are special, and the Americans were quite clear about it, stressing that this was an exceptional technical measure.
It is different from the deliberate antimissile test firing that took place in January 2007. In addition the destruction occurred at a low altitude so as to avoid causing long-life debris. So there was no problem from a safety point of view.

…Serbia/Kosovo

Statement by the Spokesperson, Paris, February 22, 2008
France strongly condemns last night’s violence in Belgrade against the United States Embassy and several diplomatic missions as well as journalists covering the demonstration organized by the authorities. We extend our sympathy to the authorities of the United States, part of whose embassy was set on fire, and the authorities of Croatia, Turkey, Germany and Bosnia-Herzegovina whose embassies were also attacked.
Like the European Union in the past few days, notably Sunday after the first incidents against Slovenia’s Embassy, and the UN Security Council last night, we remind the Serbian authorities of the obligations incumbent on them with regard to the protection of diplomatic buildings, in accordance with the Vienna Convention. We call on them to:

• implement all necessary measures to restore public order and ensure the security of diplomatic missions and their personnel as well as all foreign nationals;
• pursue and punish the perpetrators of these acts;
• and refrain from any action or statement, as there have been in the past few days, including from members of the government, that could be construed as incitement to violence. Such irresponsible remarks are unacceptable. We have taken due note on the other hand of the appeals for calm made by certain political leaders in Serbia.

(…) Q: Some countries, France was one of them, insisted that their recognition of Kosovo’s independence was intended to stabilize the region. Yet over the last few days we’ve seen the contrary. Your reaction?
We insisted on the fact that this recognition is being made in a European context and European spirit. As I just said in the statement, we call on all parties to exercise restraint and for an end to violence. We hope that with the decisions we’ve taken concerning Kosovo, we’ll manage to calm the situation. It’s going to take a bit of time—that’s the thrust of your question. Let me also remind you that we’ve sent very precise, constant messages to the Serbian authorities, emphasizing the European perspective they have and hoping that Serbia and the European Union will have closer ties. The events of the last few days prompt us to renew our call. That is what we’ve just done, and what we’ll continue to do.
Q: About stability in the region and more broadly in Europe. How do you react to the comments by the Russian ambassador to NATO that his country could use force?
Like you, I saw his remarks. I will repeat what I’ve just said. We call on everyone to show restraint, calm, responsibility, to end violence and begin dialogue. That’s the whole spirit of what we’ve been saying from the beginning of the week and what the Europeans said on Monday at the general affairs/external relations council.
Q: If I understood correctly, when you say it will “take a bit of time,” had you expected relations with Russia and Serbia to deteriorate?
What will take a bit of time in a general sense is deepening the relations we’ve established with all the countries in the region. I’d like to recall a question put to the minister last Monday about Kosovo. It was this: When are we going to see improvement in Kosovo and its economic and political development? Getting projects started and deepening relations all take time. I’m tempted to expand the subject: the whole EU neighborhood policy which concerns relations between the EU and its neighbors takes time. As I said, I hope we’ll soon be having in-depth discussions quietly and calmly with Serbia and all the countries in the region.
Q: Many experts think you undermined democratic forces because you chose to violate international law. Is the violence in Belgrade a consequence of violating international law?
I’m not going to adopt the analysis of the experts you cited We fully respected international law as always. The minister commented on this. We considered that the situation in Kosovo, the status quo, couldn’t last. A decision had to be made. It was taken and the necessary time was allowed since, as you know, at France’s initiative extra time was given to the Serbs and Kosovars to pursue their discussions to try and reach an agreement. We all wanted to see an agreement between the Serbs and Kosovars. At the same time, the status quo couldn’t go on; we had the Ahtisaari report on the table, which was also the subject of intensive work and included proposals which seemed very constructive to us to permit the peaceful cohabitation of all the communities. Based on this analysis we decided in full conformity with international law to adopt an EU statement last Monday and to recognize Kosovo’s independence individually.
Q: Is it correct to say that the US pushed you into taking the decision ?
We took our decision in complete sovereignty for the reasons I’ve just stated. It so happens that other countries, with which we are in close contact, also took that decision and that others among our European partners did not. That is international life. But France, which made its decision alone and in complete sovereignty, did so, as it always does, in consultation with its European partners and with countries that are friends.
Q: You said Kosovo’s independence will help calm and stabilize the region, but that’s not the case at this time. Was your assessment wrong?
Let’s take the long-term view. All this needs time. When we talk about the European perspective of the Balkan countries, particularly Serbia, it is, as I said, a perspective. We’re not thinking in terms of a 24 hour deadline. It’s our project. Let’s not confine ourselves to the last 24 hours or the next 24 hours. Our perspective by definition is a structural, long-term perspective.
Q: So you think the situation is going to improve rather than worsen?
Yes. I hope the situation will become more peaceable. We’re all working for this. That’s the thrust of the statement I just read. You’ll have noted that at the end of the statement we refer to statements by the Serbian authorities saying precisely that they wanted to see an end to the violence.(…)
Q : SCR 1244 doesn’t say that one part of the territory will be independent one day. On the contrary it stipulated that the borders remain the same internationally recognized ones. (…)
There are different interpretation of SCR 1244. I repeat that for us, our action and our decisions are perfectly consistent with SCR 1244. For the rest, the interest not of France but of the entire European Union and the region is to see the situation stabilized. As I said, the status quo, the persistence of the status quo, did not provide assurance of regional stability. That’s why we decided to recognize Kosovo’s independence, along with a majority of our European partners and other countries.
We hope to achieve a quiet, stable and peaceable situation in this region—it is indispensable for establishing good relations between the EU and all the Balkan countries.
Q: You refer to SCR 1244 and you say that the decision is perfectly consistent with the resolution.
Yes, it is consistent with the resolution.
Q: Which part?
I refer you to the legal experts because I’m not one myself. But understand that the objective of SCR 1244 was this: to bring calm to the situation. We’re not going to remake history. All of us remember the Milosevic period, the war and the events that led NATO to intervene there.
The status quo was untenable, and what’s why the negotiations were started. Remember that when we asked for the discussions to continue, once the Ahtisaari plan was adopted, we hoped that Belgrade and Pristina would resume the discussions.
Under the auspices of the Troika, in particular Ambassador Ischinger, there were long months of discussions in order to move towards an agreement.
Remember also that Mr. Kouchner stressed that this was a European problem and that it was up to the Europeans to find a solution. I mentioned the statements by the Serbian authorities calling for an end to the violence. We all agree on that. I also noted that the Serbian president recalled his commitment to seeing Serbia have a very close relationship with the European Union.
All this is positive. It’s in the interest all Europeans, Serbia’s interest, and all the Balkans to have this close, peaceable relationship with the EU.

…Middle East

 Press briefing given by Foreign Ministry spokesperson, February 20, 2008
Q: When the minister was in the Occupied Territories last weekend, did Mr. Abbas renew his request for French military assistance? If so, at what level and what was France’s response?
The question wasn’t discussed during the minister’s meetings, but I would like to remind you that we are in favor of increased European support for reforming the Palestinian security services, and we’re examining the requests made regarding this by Mr. Fayyad’s government, especially in the context of implementing the Palestinian reform and development plan.
Q: To what extent did you discuss with Mr. Abbas deploying an international force in the Occupied Territories, especially on the Gaza border?
This question, which falls within the parameters of a comprehensive settlement, wasn’t specifically discussed, but we’re in favor of the deployment when the time comes and once the conditions have been met for an international force that would support Palestinian security forces in order to assist in the implementation of an Israeli-Palestinian agreement.
According to an AFP report, a senior Palestinian aide said Wednesday the Palestinians should imitate Kosovo and unilaterally proclaim their independence absent progress in the negotiations with Israel. Would you be ready to recognize such a Palestinian state?
France supports the process for the establishment of a viable Palestinian state in the context of a negotiated agreement between the parties on the basis of the relevant UN resolutions.

…Iraq/Turkey

 Press briefing given by Foreign Ministry spokesperson, February 22, 2008
Q: Will you be observing what’s happening on the Turkish-Iraqi border and what’s your reaction to the Turkish military operation in Iraq?
You know our position. We are well aware of Turkey’s concerns regarding its security. We recall moreover our commitment, like that of the entire international community, to the unity and territorial integrity of Iraq. We call on the Turkish and Iraqi authorities to engage in dialogue on this question to find a political solution. Lastly I recall that France, like the European Union condemns the violence by the PKK which is on the EU’s list of terrorist organizations.
Q: What’s your comment on this operation itself?
As I just said, we call on the parties concerned to engage in dialogue to find a political solution.

…Cuba

 Press briefing given by Foreign Ministry spokesperson, February 19, 2008
Q : What’s the Quai d’Orsay’s response to Fidel Castro’s announcement today that he was giving up the presidential office. This morning Jean-Pierre Jouyet said he hoped that a new path was opening in Cuba and that the country would become more democratic? Is that France’s line?
France takes note of the decision by the Cuban head of state, after almost 50 years at the head of his country, not to make another bid for president of the council of state and commander-in-chief of the armed forces.
We recall at this time our wish to see Cuba embark on the path of democracy and respect for human rights. I would like say in this regard that France is delighted at the release of four Cuban political prisoners, Pedro Pablo Alvarez Ramos, Omar Pernet Hernandez, Jose Gabriel Ramon Castillo and Alejandro Gonzales Raga who were authorized to leave for Spain, and have since arrived.
France also welcomes very favorably the Cuban government’s intention to sign shortly the UN covenant on civil and political rights and the UN pact on economic, social and cultural rights.
Lastly, France again expresses its friendship for the Cuban people and its readiness to cooperate with the country and assist it on the path to democracy and human rights.

…Darfur

 Press briefing given by Foreign Ministry spokesperson, February 20, 2008
France expresses its deepest concern at the continuing military operations in western Darfur in the Jebel Moon region. It condemns this violence which further exacerbates the situation of civilians. France again calls on all the parties to suspend hostilities immediately and take the necessary measures to protect civilians. It asks the Sudanese authorities to ensure without delay free access of humanitarian workers to areas affected by the fighting, as elsewhere in Darfur.
France reiterates its commitment to the deployment of UNAMID in Darfur and EUFOR in eastern Chad and the northeast area of the Central African Republic in order to help protect the civilian population in accordance with the mandates assigned these two operations by the UN Security Council.

…Chad

 - Press briefing given by Foreign Ministry spokesperson, February 20, 2008
Q: Could you say what the current status is regarding the deployment of the French part of EUFOR in Chad, and eventually how things are going to go on the ground now? The increase in French participation in the EUFOR/Chad/DCR operation is continuing. I refer you for more details to the Defense Ministry which presents a round-up every Thursday, and which said last Thursday that 220 French soldiers are under the command of the European force.
As for the deployment of the force. I’ll remind you of the comments of the commander of the European force, General Ganascia, who said yesterday the force had begun its first reconnaissance operations and would be fully deployed before June.

- Press briefing given by Foreign Ministry spokesperson, February 22, 2008
(…) Q: What about the two other people who’ve disappeared?
We’re continuing to press for information about them but so far we’ve not had any. The Chadian authorities tell us they don’t know where these people are. I refer you also to the communiqué from the Chadian authorities issued yesterday announcing the establishment of a commission of inquiry to clarify what happened to the people who’ve disappeared.
Q: Are you satisfied with the commission of inquiry procedure three weeks after the events?
We will not be satisfied until we have exact information about the fate of the opposition leaders. That’s a priority for us. We want a full investigation made. Every time we’re in contact with the Chadian authorities, as we are on a regular basis, we renew our insistence for information. Unfortunately so far we’re obliged to recognize that we don’t have any. We keep on pressing the Chadian authorities on this matter.
Q: Do you get the impression that it’s also a priority for the Chadian authorities?
It’s a priority for us. The Chadian authorities tell us they’re making every effort to give us an answer. You’ll have to ask Mr. Allam-mi. If he’s received by the minister, it will probably be the first thing he discusses with him.