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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.]
CHINA/RAIL ACCIDENT
We were horrified to learn of the rail accident in Shandong province this morning which claimed the lives of 66 people and injured a great many people.
We offer our condolences to the victims’ families and loved ones, and assure the Chinese authorities of our sympathy at this difficult time.
Four French nationals are among the injured. They have been hospitalized, but their injuries do not appear to be life-threatening. Their situation is being closely followed by our embassy in Beijing which is in touch with the Chinese authorities in Shandong province.
Q - Do you have any details about the French nationals injured in this morning’s train accident in China?
Of the four French people injured, three are slightly hurt. The fourth has more serious injuries which are not life-threatening. Our embassy is fully mobilized in liaison with the Chinese authorities to give our compatriots all the necessary medical help and consular assistance.
We were shocked to learn of the fire at a factory in Casablanca Saturday which killed 55 people.
We offer the victims’ families and loved ones our condolences, and reiterate our friendship and solidarity with the Moroccan authorities in these tragic circumstances.
Q - Israeli forces fired on a house in the north of the Gaza Strip Monday killing four children and an adult. Your comment?
France is extremely concerned about the escalating violence in Gaza and southern Israel.
France reiterates its condemnation of terrorist actions from Gaza. It calls for an end to all violence and deplores Israeli military operations in which Palestinian civilians are casualties.
The civilian population of Gaza cannot continue to endure this situation. Hamas must comply the principles guiding the peace process, firstly, the renunciation of violence. Israel must open up the crossing points and allow humanitarian aid to go through.
Q - The number of Palestinian dead has risen to seven now, and the operation in Beit Hanoun is continuing. Are you asking Israel to end hostilities?
I refer you to my previous response.
HAITI/ABDUCTION OF A FRENCH NATIONAL
Q - Do you confirm that a French official from Guadeloupe working for the French Development Agency and attached to the Haitian Ministry of Public Works was abducted in Haiti on Friday? His kidnappers are demanding a hefty ransom. What’s the situation now according to your information?
We confirm that a French national has been abducted in Haiti. Our ambassador is in contact with the Haitian authorities. Discretion is imperative in such matters as you know.
Q - What is your response to Mohammed ElBaradei’s sharp criticism about the lack of communication, particularly between the United States and the IAEA, with respect to Syria and the allegations about its nuclear aims? Why was the IAEA not informed by Western governments in this case?
Mr. ElBaradei’s comments in reaction to information from an American source do not call for comment on my part. For the rest, we maintain ongoing, close dialogue with the IAEA.
LEBANON/INCIDENT INVOLVING MR. PAKZAD
Q - You’ve protested the arbitrary arrest and detention of Karim Pakzad, a French Socialist party representative attending the Socialist International while he was in Beirut on April 26. Did you take specific steps to follow up on the inquiry by the Lebanese authorities and Mr. Pakzad’s complaint?
Following this unacceptable incident, our compatriot filed a formal complaint.
As we said at the weekend, we’re counting on the diligence of the Lebanese authorities responsible for the investigation and judicial follow-up of this incident.
Q - Can you confirm that Hezbollah contacted the French Embassy in Beirut to check on Mr. Pakzad’s identity?
The information is not correct. Hezbollah did not contact our embassy in this connection.
Q - Did Mr. Pakzad follow the travel advisories relative to his movements in Lebanon? Had he told the French Consulate in Beirut about his travel as other visitors did, according to the Hezbollah communiqué?
We knew that there were French participants at the meeting of the Socialist International, without knowing all the French delegates. But that’s not the point. Mr. Pakzad’s arbitrary arrest and detention are unacceptable as we’ve said most categorically.
Q - The French ambassador to Algeria reportedly said in Guelma Sunday that “the time for denial” of the “horrific massacres” on May 8, 1945 is over. Does this indicate a shift in France’s language about these events? In now recognizing its “very heavy responsibility” in the massacres is France making an act of repentance?
The comments by the French ambassador to Algeria are in line with those made by the President Sarkozy on his State visit to Algeria in December 2007./.
Embassy of France, April 28, 2008
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