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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.] FRANCE /ISRAEL
Foreign Minister Védrine met this morning with Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister Michael Melchior.
The meeting took place in a constructive atmosphere. Mr. Melchior presented the minister with the text of the First Alexandria Declaration signed by the religious leaders of the Holy Land. The minister welcomed the move.
The two men discussed the tragic situation in Israel and the Palestinian territories. They emphasized the political importance of Security Council resolution 1397.
Q - Did they talk about anti-Semitism in France?
Yes. Each explained his point of view to the other. We agreed that this matter must not in any case be ignored but that it cannot and should no longer be a subject of controversy.
Q - The Coordination of Appeals for a Just Peace in the Middle East handed a letter to the foreign minister expressing its indignation about the announcement of events in France in honor of Tsahal. Was there a reaction from the minister?
The leaders of the movement were seen at the Quai d'Orsay this morning.
Mr. Moussaoui risks the death penalty in the United States. What is France's position?
Our position on this is unchanged. We are opposed to the death penalty; that position holds for Mr. Moussaoui, and the American authorities know this perfectly well.
Negotiators from Belgrade and Podgorica have reached agreement on a revamped federal framework for the FRY. This was due to be signed today and confirmed by the federal, Serb and Montenegrin parliaments.
It is a very important agreement for the future of the country and for regional stability. The new union between Serbia and Montenegro will make it possible to continue moving towards closer ties with the European Union under optimum conditions, a direction that France has consistently supported. We welcome Mr. Solana's contribution to the success of these negotiations in the context of the mandate he received at Laeken.
Q - Do you have any comment on the brutality of the Israeli army in Ramallah?
We are alarmed at the serious situation in Ramallah. The Israeli army is continuing its round-ups; hospitals, deprived of water and electricity, no longer have the means to care for the wounded; ambulances are being targeted.
We call on the Israeli authorities to end as quickly as possible armed action that has untenable consequences at the humanitarian level.
The European Union has adopted an ambitious position on development financing ahead of the Monterrey Conference and after discussions at the general affairs council. We welcome this agreement./.
Embassy of France, March 14, 2002
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