…Syria/North Korea
Press briefing given by Foreign Ministry spokesperson, April 25, 2008
(…) We were in contact yesterday with the Americans at their initiative and we exchanged analyses and intelligence.
It is essential for Syria to give a full accounting of its past and present nuclear activities in accordance with its international obligations, particularly with respect to the IAEA. The secret construction of a nuclear reactor would be a serious violation of Syria’s non-proliferation obligations.
We also remain very concerned about North Korea’s proliferation activities. UN Security Council resolution 1718 prohibits any export of sensitive goods from North Korea.
We hope that North Korea, as it pledged at the Six-party discussions, makes a complete and verifiable declaration of all its nuclear programs, including its external proliferation activities.
Q: About Syria’s nuclear activities. You have to prove that these are military nuclear activities because civilian activities are permitted.
That’s what we’re talking about. We have doubts with respect to some of Syria’s activities and we’re asking Syria to act in accordance with its international obligations, particularly with respect to the IAEA.
…Minister’s visit to Kuwait for the expanded Conference of Iraq’s Neighbors (April 21-22)
Press briefing given by Foreign Ministry spokesperson, April 23, 2008
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.
…France/Syria/Lebanon
Press briefing given by Foreign Ministry spokesperson, April 22, 2008
The French minister for foreign and European affairs, Bernard Kouchner, and the Syrian minister for foreign affairs, Walid al-Mouallem had a bilateral meeting at the expanded conference of Iraq’s neighbors held in Kuwait on April 22.
During their meeting, Mr. Kouchner and Mr. al-Mouallem held a useful review of a number of regional questions, in particular the political crisis in Lebanon and questions of interest to the French-Syrian relations. Speaking frankly, the two ministers compared the respective views of France and Syria on these questions and the way to resolve them
Q: Who asked for the meeting, France or Syria?
It was by mutual agreement. Ministers often meet on the sidelines of international conferences. They decided to see each other by mutual agreement.
Q: It’s interesting for us to know because the regional press says that Syria sent a message to Mr. Kouchner to arrange a meeting.
So far as I know, it was by mutual agreement.
Q: When you say “frankly” in diplomatic language, does that mean there were different points of view?
You know perfectly well that there are different points of view, that’s why the interest is in speaking franking. That’s what it means.
Q: So there was no significant progress after the meeting?
Both men laid out their positions. The minister recalled our commitment to the Arab League plan for resolving the crisis in Lebanon.
Q: A decision was made not to have diplomatic relations with Syria. Then the minister met with his Syrian counterpart. Has there been progress to make the meeting possible?
It was decided to suspend high-level contacts, that is, at Elysée level. That’s one thing. And there are the normal diplomatic contacts that occur at international meetings. The one doesn’t prevent the other. When President Sarkozy decided to suspend high-level contacts, that didn’t exclude meetings between ministers at international conferences. I would also remind you that we have an ambassador in Damascus who has contacts with the Syrian authorities every day.
Q: Does this mark the resumption of ministerial contacts?
There’s no resumption of high-level contacts, but so far as I know the word “ministerial” had not been used.
Q: When you say “high level” do you mean between the Elysée and the Syrian authorities?
The decision to suspend high-level contacts at the president’s level and his closest advisers’. Once again this doesn’t prevent contacts at the level of our ambassador in Damascus and ministers when they’re at international meetings. That’s diplomatic life.
…Israel
Press briefing given by Foreign Ministry spokesperson, April 25, 2008
France strongly condemns the terrorist operation against the industrial zone of Nitzanei Shalom which killed two Israeli civilians. It calls for an end to all violence.
France calls on all the parties to show the utmost restraint to prevent any risk of escalation. The use of violence strengthens the most radical elements at a time when supporters of the peace process must be given every chance.
…China
Press briefing given by Foreign Ministry spokesperson, April 22, 2008
Q: The Chinese ambassador to France went to the trouble of writing a very threatening letter saying that the decision by the City of Paris to make the Dalai Lama an honorary citizen will constitute a very negative precedent and also can only make the situation in Tibet worse. Do you have a comment? Also, from a purely technical point of view, has the Chinese ambassador presented his credentials and is he authorized to speak?
Regarding your last point, I’ll have to look into it. As for your first question, the letter wasn’t sent to the French authorities, the national authorities, but to the city’s elected officials. I’ve not read it and I’ve nothing to say other than to recall the messages we’ve sent over the past few days about both the situation in Tibet and Hu Jia’s situation. I would remind you in particular of the communiqué from the minister and Rama Yade about Hu Jia’s situation. What is decided at City Hall in Paris is a matter for City Hall. It is not our place to interfere in decisions that are taken by the City of Paris.
Q: So China is wrong to draw the consequences since the matter concerns only the City of Paris ?
That’s your interpretation, but when the City of Paris takes any decision that may interest China, it is perfectly normal for the Chinese ambassador to France to react. I would not say he is right or wrong. What I’m saying is that this matter concerns City Hall, and I’ve told you our positions with regard to the situation in Tibet and Hu Jia.
Q: How would you describe current relations between France and China?
We have very close relations and a comprehensive strategic partnership with China. It’s also in the context of this partnership that the president’s diplomatic adviser is going to Beijing this week.
For the rest, we’ve seen demonstrations in one place and another, admittedly, in the past few weeks. Preparations for the Olympic Games have given rise to certain demonstrations but there is on our part a wish to calm things and have dialogue, and we hope the situation will quickly return to one of calm.
(…) Q : Have you noticed any effect on the sale of French products in China?
The answer is no.
…Colombia/Hostages
Press briefing given by Foreign Ministry spokesperson, April 23, 2008
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.
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