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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.] WEIMAR TRIANGLE
Foreign Minister Védrine had a working dinner last night with the Polish and German foreign ministers, Wlodzimierz Cimoszewicz and Joschka Fischer, in the context of the Weimar Triangle.
The meeting celebrated the tenth anniversary of this particularly close form of cooperation between France, Germany and Poland.
During the dinner, the ministers discussed the main European and international issues. They reviewed the process of European Union enlargement and the debate on Europe's future, in which Poland is participating, at the convention chaired by Mr. Giscard d'Estaing. They also considered the international situation, particularly in the Middle East and especially in light of the Euro-Mediterranean conference at Valencia which had concluded that day.
Lastly, the ministers examined the future developments of the Weimar Triangle from the standpoint of Poland's membership in the European Union. They agreed on the importance of this privileged cooperation between the three countries within an enlarged Union where the minister said it could become one of the motors.
We welcome the adoption of the resolution on the optional protocol to the Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment at the 58th session of the Human Rights Commission which will conclude on Friday. The protocol, which aims to establish an independent, effective system of visits to places of detention, was adopted by a large majority. The proposal submitted by the chair of the working group drafting the protocol, Odio Benito, was adopted by 29 votes for, 10 against and 14 abstentions. The vote in favor culminates ten years of work, strongly backed by NGOs, in which France was particularly active. May I remind you that in his speech to the HRC on March 26, Foreign Minister Hubert Védrine said he supported swift adoption of the proposal.
I also want to recall that France secured the adoption by consensus of the three resolutions which it presented, namely, human rights and extreme poverty, arbitrary detention and forced disappearances. The resolution on extreme poverty is one of the texts which customarily has the most co-sponsors in the HRC.
We again urge implementation of the April 18 agreement. This involves concrete measures on both sides, in particular the removal of roadblocks which are heavily burdening economic and social life in Madagascar.
The Israeli authorities have just given their consent for France to send a training mission to Jenin in the context of our cooperation with UNRWA. We're sending a team of a dozen or so experts, mostly civilian emergency workers and Red Cross personnel. They will train several dozen Palestinians so that the latter can clear and decontaminate the Jenin camp in safe conditions; the camp must be made viable again.
Q - What is France's reaction to Israel's refusal to accept the U.N. inquiry into the tragic events at Jenin?
We know that Israeli wanted anti-terrorist experts to be included in the mission but the U.N. secretary-general has already taken that element into account. By complicating, delaying or refusing to work with the U.N. mission in Jenin, Israel is harming its image. Israel must immediately accept this mission which was unanimously agreed by the Security Council.
Q - In the wake of the Euro-Med conference in Valencia, what is France's position on the issue of Palestinian refugees? Are we to understand that France is in favor their return and under what conditions?
We think a solution to the Palestinian refugee question must be found, as the U.N. recognizes. The implementation of this right and the solution to the problem are part of the peace negotiations.
The minister spoke about this at Valencia where he referred to international assistance to help solve the problem.
The French position is very close to the position that Sari Nusseibeh, head of Orient House, recently expressed, with courage, on this difficult issue.
Q - What does France expect to come out of Javier Solana's new mission and what is his mandate?
We expect this mission, which we support, first to meet the objectives that were set for the previous mission by Mr. Piqué and Mr. Solana.
Mr. Solana and Mr. Moratinos must have contacts with the Israeli and Palestinian authorities, including of course, Yasir Arafat.
Q - Do you have any comment on the ouster of José Bustani? Why did France support the action against him?
Since the start of the challenge to Mr. Bustani, France sought solutions of a consensual nature as far as possible, independent of our assessment of Mr. Bustani's personal qualities.
We want to preserve the foundations of multilateralism, keep an eye on the independence and neutrality of the staff of international organizations, including those at the top, and make sure the rules of operations are respected. It is for these reasons of principle, independent of any assessment of the person, that we abstained in this proceeding.
Q - Does France share recent U.S. assessments on Iraq's re-arming? Is there definitive proof to support the U.S. accusations? Does France have knowledge of elements that support the U.S. thesis?
It is because there are doubts that it is necessary to make sure that the inspectors return to Iraq immediately. As for U.S. assessments, I am obliged to refer you to the U.S. authorities.
Embassy of France, April 24, 2002
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