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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.] EUROPEAN UNION
France welcomes the adoption in the Danish Parliament and Austrian Senate, by very large majorities, of the act authorizing ratification of the Treaty of Lisbon amending the Treaty on the European Union and the Treaty establishing the European Community, signed by the 27 member States of the European Union on December 13, 2007.
(…)
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.
We were shocked to learn of the murders Wednesday night of Altagracia Fuentes, secretary-general of the Honduras Workers’ Federation, and two other officials from the same union, Virgilia Garcia and Juan Galvez. France strongly condemns this heinous act.
We extend our condolences to the victims’ families and to the Honduran authorities and people. We call on the Honduran authorities to make sure there is a full investigation into the circumstances of these assassinations.
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Q - What’s your reaction to the reports out of Syria that Turkey should intercede between Israel and Syria to find a peace agreement between the two countries and to an eventual Israeli proposal to return the Golan Heights back to Syria.
I’ve no special information on this matter. Like you I read about it in the press yesterday.
(…) 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.
Q - What’s your reaction to the latest conclusions of the UN mediator for the Sahara who said that the option of independence for the Sahara is unrealistic? Do you see a contradiction between the reports of Ban Ki-moon and Mr. Van Walsum on this as the South African Ambassador to the UN claims?
Discussions are taking place on this question at the UN. Let’s wait for them to end. As you know, there’s a Moroccan proposal which we think is a serious basis for pursuing discussions.
(…)./.
Embassy of France, April 25, 2008
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