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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/UNITED KINGDOM
Foreign Minister Dominique de Villepin will go to London on Thursday, March 27, at the invitation of the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS). He will deliver an address entitled, “Law, Force and Justice”. Afterwards, the minister will answer questions from the audience.
Pierre-André Wiltzer, Minister Delegate for Cooperation and Francophony, chaired the annual meeting of the strategic orientation council (COS) of the solidarity fund (FSP) on Tuesday, March 25. The council is a structure consisting of legislators, the directors concerned from the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Economy, Finance and Industry, the head of the French Development Agency and other French and foreign officials.
The COS examined the results of the FSP in 2002 and the perspectives for 2003. The FSP approved 91 projects in 2002 for a total of 158 million euros, showing that it is a vital instrument in cooperation that allows for projects to be implemented in a partnership framework. The 26% increase in resources in 2003 reflects the commitments of the president and French government to increase official development assistance to reach a figure of 0.5% of GNP in five years.
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Pierre-André Wiltzer, Minister Delegate for Cooperation and Francophony, gave a speech at UNESCO, attended by Director General Koïchiri Matsuura, on Tuesday, March 25, at the second meeting of donors for the “Education for All/Accelerated Procedure” initiative.
This World Bank initiative includes the main bilateral and multilateral financial donors and follows on the Dakar education forum (2000) and Monterrey development financing summit (2002). It is intended to secure the necessary official development assistance for the objective of achieving universal schooling by 2015. It is estimated that an additional $2.9 billion is needed (including $2.1 billion for Africa alone), which it is endeavoring to obtain as a priority for countries that have a credible strategic plan for their education system. Seven countries (Burkina-Faso, Guinea-Conakry, Guyana, Honduras, Mauritania, Nicaragua and Niger) have already benefited from the initiative.
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The minister delegate for cooperation and Francophony will visit Botswana on March 27-28. This second ministerial visit in 2003--the foreign secretary visited in January—underscores our wish to intensify relations with Botswana.
The minister delegate will be received by President Festus Mogae and the Foreign Minister, General Mompati Merafhe. Mr. Wiltzer will express his full support to the country, which is a country of reference in the framework of NEPAD. It is home to the headquarters of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), a regional organization that France supports.
He will also meet Dr. Prega Ramsay, Executive Secretary of SADC, an important regional organization to which France makes a significant contribution.
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France is pleased at the caliber of bilateral relations with the countries in southern Africa in view of the importance France attaches to the region.
The State Secretary went to Brussels on March 25 for a European Commission meeting devoted to emergency humanitarian action.
Discussions focused mainly on the troubling humanitarian situation in Iraq. There was a total convergence of views between us and the European Commission on the basic principles that must govern the emergency aid that will be provided the Iraqi people. In this regard, the central role of the United Nations was clearly reaffirmed. There will be close coordination between the European Commission and France.
Q - Is a modification of the “oil for food” resolution liable to legitimize or legalize the United States’ war against Iraq?
President Chirac spoke about this subject during the press conference following the European Council in Brussels last Friday. I refer you to his remarks.
Q - Was France informed of the Saudi ideas for bringing a speedy end to the war?
Not particularly.
Q - Do you believe that suspending the “oil for food” program in Iraq is a violation of the fourth Geneva Convention?
No, it was a decision by the secretary-general made in accordance with Security Council resolutions. That said, it is urgent to adjust this program in order to come to the aid of the Iraqi people. That is the subject of the discussions under way in New York.
Q - Does France support Blair’s efforts? He indicated that he was going to Washington to speak with Bush about giving the UN a role during the postwar period—something that Paris also wants.
France has relentlessly called for giving the UN a central role. In this regard, I refer you to the joint declaration by the 15 members of the EU adopted on March 20, as well as the conclusions of the European Council in Brussels on March 21.
Q - France and Kuwait signed a defense agreement at the end of the Gulf War. What impact are these dozens of Iraqi missile attacks against Kuwait having on that agreement? What is your reaction to these attacks and should the defense agreement be invoked?
I have nothing to add to what the spokesman said yesterday.
Q - Why can’t such a simple question get an answer for a week?
Quite simply, if I may say so, because we have no specific, verified information about the dozens of Iraqi missile attacks against Kuwait that you refer to.
Q - What is the content of the German proposal on humanitarian aid presented to the UN sanctions committee? Does France support this proposal?
There are talks under way in New York to adapt the “oil for food” resolution so that it applies to current circumstances.
We support finding a rapid solution in New York in order to allow for the delivery of emergency humanitarian aid as soon as possible.
Q - Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs Renaud Muselier indicated on LCI that France was preparing a resolution with Kofi Annan “to give us the ability to take action.” Can we hear more about that?
As I indicated, talks are under way at the Security Council and we support finding a rapid solution in New York.
For our part, you will have noted that the government spokesman indicated that an interministerial meeting would be held tomorrow at Matignon to review the humanitarian situation in Iraq and the needs of the Iraqi people.
Q - Tony Blair repeated on Monday that he hoped a debate would take place within the EU on the transatlantic relationship. Are you in favor of opening such a debate and if so, how would you define that relationship?
As you know, we have long been in favor of deliberations by all fifteen members on this topic.
In this regard, I refer you to Mr. Dominique de Villepin’s speech during the March 20 Senate session. He notably stated, “In the face of this crisis, Europe displayed its divisions, but it remains at the heart of our vision, at the heart of our ambition for the world. Europe must pull together, and the European Council beginning this afternoon in Brussels offers an opportunity to reaffirm the principles and values that unite us. In every arena, Europe must be able to assume its responsibilities, whether they involve foreign policy and common security, the defense policy […]. Even as we begin our enlargement, we must be able to defend the European identity.”
Q - Do you intend to set up a special cell on the reconstruction of Iraq as Germany did?
I don’t have any particular information about that. We are first and foremost very concerned by the deterioration of the humanitarian situation and the living conditions of civilians in Iraq. It is because of this concern and this emergency that an interministerial meeting is being held tomorrow at Matignon.
Q - Do you believe that the rules of war are being respected in Iraq, specifically with regard to the treatment of prisoners of war and the clear identification of combatants and the respect of civilian populations?
Our position is well known. We reiterated it at the press briefing of March 20: “The belligerents must comply with their obligations under the four Geneva Conventions and their two protocols. We call on them to respect, permit and facilitate the action of the Red Cross on the ground. We hope that a swift end to the conflict will spare civilians in Iraq from further ordeals. We are ready to respond to their humanitarian needs. We are available to provide emergency humanitarian assistance as the need arises, in particular regarding refugees in countries bordering on Iraq.”
Q - Mr. de Villepin asserts that the United States cannot do without the UN in rebuilding the peace in Iraq. Yet part of the American administration is asserting, to the contrary, that it can do without the UN. What are the minister’s arguments?
The minister very clearly and very precisely set forth his arguments on the central role of the UN during his speech at the Security Council in New York on March 19. I strongly recommend that you consult it.
Q - Any reaction to the emergency meeting of the Security Council in New York this afternoon?
It is a public debate at the Security Council requested by the Council members. France will express itself and will recall its position as set forth in recent days by the president and the foreign minister.
Q - Can you confirm that the French journalist Fred Nérac was wounded and transported to a Bassorah hospital? If so, what is his condition?
We are mobilized and doing everything we can to find out about our compatriot’s situation.
Let me remind you that for a week, we have very strongly advised French nationals, in view of the circumstances and the risks, to leave Iraq without delay.
Q - Do you believe, along with the secretary of the Foreign Office, Jack Straw, that Westerners apply different standards with regard to the enforcement of Security Council resolutions in Iraq and in Palestine?
His statements are in line with France’s long-standing position on the urgent need to implement the Quartet’s roadmap./.
Embassy of France, March 26, 2003
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