Interview given by M. Michel Barnier, Minister of Foreign Affairs, to the Lebanese “Al Hayat” newspaper (excerpts)

Paris, February 5, 2005

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SHIITE IRAQ

Q. – Is France worried about a “Shiite Iraq” following the election?

THE MINISTER – I don’t want to impugn anyone’s motives. In Iraq, there’s a religious community representing the majority, and democracy stipulates that the majority is the majority. We can’t want two contradictory things. The important thing is for Iraqi society not to go on forever reacting on a community basis, and for the next government to make better use of its power and respect the minorities so that they have a fair place. I have confidence in the discernment of the various Iraqi forces, which will enable them to act with the aim of achieving this balance.

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MIDDLE EAST PEACE PROCESS

Q. – On Monday you’re going to Palestine and Israel. What do you foresee happening? Will Sharon really withdraw from Gaza and make this withdrawal part of the Roadmap? The Arabs have some doubts regarding his policy. If he’s decided to pull out, why delay so long?

THE MINISTER – There is both a new atmosphere and a new framework, and these must be taken into account. I’m going to the region again to pursue the dialogue I began when I went to Ramallah last June to meet President Yasser Arafat and the Palestinian Authority team, then continued in October when I met the Israeli Prime Minister, Ariel Sharon, and some of his ministers. I’ve started this dialogue and want to pursue it to show our determination and the importance we attach to this issue. I shall be talking in my capacity as French Foreign Minister and a European since Europe needs to act and speak with a single voice in this region so that it is useful and respected. Yes, I believe Mr Sharon has taken a courageous decision and he's going to carry out the withdrawal from a first Palestinian territory, and we can clearly see that he's encountering many problems here. He probably needs a bit of time because a section of his general public and his party, as well as the settlers, are against him. But I’m sure he wants to make a success of this first withdrawal.

ROADMAP/ISRAELI WITHDRAWAL/LONDON CONFERENCE

Q. – But will he do it in the framework of the Roadmap?

THE MINISTER – I asked him that question in his office last October and Mr Weisglass was beside him. He said that the Roadmap was still relevant for him. Subsequently, he has reiterated this. On the other side, Mahmoud Abbas finds himself in a new situation after an election which has shown the Palestinian people's maturity and sense of responsibility, one which precedes others, municipal and general elections, designed to strengthen the Palestinian Authority's legitimacy. Here, we must help the Palestinian Authority make a success of its reform and strengthen its security. This is the aim of the London meeting. All this is still very fragile, but I think there's a new atmosphere, one which hadn't prevailed for many years. There seems to be a new determination for action on Washington's part and a willingness on Europe’s. It's time for the restoration of peace.

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LEBANON/SYRIA

Q. – Since the adoption of UNSCR 1559, what measures have you observed being taken on the ground to implement it? What future developments do you see for a resolution you sponsored with the United States?

THE MINISTER – Our line here and everywhere else is to promote the sovereignty, security of the peoples and good neighbourliness. It's a traditional line which governs French policy in the world. It's what's driving us today with respect to Iraq and to the Palestinian people. Our hope for Lebanon, that friendly country, with which we have a common history, is for the Lebanese people progressively to regain the sovereignty they lack.

Q. – What initiatives are you expecting on the part of Syria?

THE MINISTER – The first initiative, which falls within the spirit of UNSCR 1559, consists in ensuring that the elections take place normally. Then, in accordance with what's been requested, the Syrian forces and intelligence services will genuinely have to start pulling out so that the country gradually regains its independence. The first test, the first moment of truth will be the general election. But there's also the request to Lebanese government to extend its authority over the whole of its territory. It's fundamental.

PATRIARCH NASRALLAR SFEIR

Q. – Did Patriarch Nasrallar Sfeir, with whom you've had a meeting, give you the impression that UNSCR 1559 will achieve the hoped-for results?

THE MINISTER – We are initiating dialogue with everyone who has influence in Lebanon, which is the case for the Patriarch. Everyone is today waiting to see how UNSCR 1559 will be implemented, and if it will be implemented. I believe that its implementation is in the interest of the different parties. The United Nations Secretary-General is keeping a watchful eye on this. We are too. So there's a need for initiatives moving in the right direction. We are determined about this, because it's the international community's will which is expressed in UNSCR 1559. (...)./.