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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.] LEBANON
Let me read you the communiqué issued by Foreign Minister Douste-Blazy on August 6:
“Today I consulted with several colleagues from Arab countries, notably Qatar, Egypt, Jordan and Saudi Arabia.
We discussed the draft resolution on Lebanon presented in New York. I took note of their remarks and requests for changes, particularly those of the Lebanese Government and its Prime Minister, Fouad Siniora, with whom I spoke yesterday evening.
Now we must see how we might respond to these concerns.
I reiterated that a cessation of hostilities is urgent and crucial to stopping the violence and allowing Lebanon and Israel to commit to a long-term political solution.
I also spoke with U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, to whom I underscored the importance of all parties’ effective respect of the cessation of hostilities.
The resolution is currently being discussed in New York. I call on all the parties to show proof of responsibility.
Beyond an immediate cessation of hostilities our objective, as President Chirac has said, is to achieve without delay a lasting cease-fire through a political agreement that takes into account the concerns of all the parties.”
Q - Beirut has rejected the French-American compromise. Is France ready to make its case with the United States for the changes demanded by Lebanon? Or will its role be reduced to trying to convince that country, and the other countries of the region, to accept a draft resolution they consider counter to their interests?
We took note of the Lebanese Government’s reactions and proposals with respect to the draft resolution. Foreign Minister Douste-Blazy spoke with the Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Siniora Saturday evening and with several of his Arab counterparts on Sunday.
France is studying these proposals with the utmost care and, together with its Security Council partners, is examining ways to take them into account. We hope to have time to examine the requests made by Mr. Siniora, for whom we reaffirm our full backing.
Q - What are the results of the consultations on Lebanon that got under way yesterday between the foreign minister and several Arab countries? Will new contacts be made today?
The consultations are continuing. As I said before, we took note of what the various parties said and together with our Security Council partners are studying how to take their comments into account.
Q - Diplomatic sources in the Security Council, Paris and Washington are allegedly studying a new draft resolution that calls for the withdrawal of the Israeli army from Lebanon at the same time as the deployment of international forces in the southern part of the country. Can you confirm that information?
The text, negotiated over a period of several days with our American partners, was presented to the other members of the Security Council on Saturday.
It was given a positive reception by the UN Secretary-General and by a very large majority of Council delegations. You have to understand its logic: Its first objective is to obtain a complete and immediate cessation of hostilities. As the minister said yesterday, that means that Hezbollah must stop all attacks and the Israelis must stop all offensive operations by air, land and sea. That’s a fundamental point for the population, it will allow displaced persons to return home. The blockade of ports and airports must be lifted; it will facilitate the distribution of humanitarian aid to those who need it. We’re not talking about a cease-fire in the strict sense, as that can come about only when the parties have agreed to a series of principles and elements leading to a long-term political solution. That’s why we proposed a two-step solution, with the second resolution defining the international force’s mandate and conditions for intervening.
Q - Lebanon gave the members of the Security Council a draft resolution. What are your observations? Do you back Lebanon’s point of view?
As far as I know, Lebanon has not submitted a draft resolution. It presented several amendments, which are being examined.
Q - Can you confirm that the P5 agrees with the French-American draft?
The first reaction of the P5 members was indeed favorable to the draft presented Saturday.
Q - Is it likely for the Security Council to adopt the draft resolution despite Lebanese and Arab rejection?
We are mindful of the need to move quickly. We hope the resolution will be adopted as soon as possible, while endeavoring to take into account the requests expressed by the Lebanese Prime Minister.
[…] Statement by Foreign Minister Philippe Douste-Blazy:
“I condemn with the utmost firmness the terrible and cowardly murder of members of the NGO Action contre la Faim. I would like to extend my sincere condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims. I also like to assure Action contre la Faim—which operates around the world in difficult conditions on behalf of the poorest populations, and whose activities I salute—of my total solidarity.
I hope all light will be shed on this tragedy and that justice will be served.
I call on the two parties to stop the violence that results daily in many civilian victims and to resume discussions on identifying a political solution to the conflict that is tearing apart the island.
France condemns the arrest of Aziz Dowek, President of the Palestinian Parliament, on August 5 in Ramallah, on the West Bank.
This arrest, which comes on top of the previous arrests of parliamentarians and members of the Palestinian government since June 29, is not conducive to easing the current crisis. France reiterates its call for their release.
We call on the two parties to put an end to the spiral of violence and to make the necessary gestures to this end. We call for the release of Corporal Gilad Shalit. The political process must take priority.
[…] ./.
Embassy of France, August 7, 2006
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