EMBASSY OF FRANCE IN WASHINGTON
– PRESS & COMMUNICATION SERVICE
Standpoint…
n°202, March 30, 2007
The
following views reflect France’s
official position
… Iran Statement made by Philippe Douste-Blazy, Minister of Foreign Affairs, after the adoption of UNSCR 1747 (Paris, March 24, 2007) I welcome the unanimous adoption of Resolution 1747 by the Security Council which has just taken place in New York. In accordance with its previous commitments, the Security Council is today imposing additional sanctions on Iran in the wake of Tehran's refusal to suspend its sensitive nuclear activities.
These measures extend the sanctions which have already been in place for three months to additional individuals and entities contributing to Iran's proliferating activities. They concern the exports of weapons from and to Iran and provide for new restrictions in the economic and financial spheres.
These measures became inevitable when the IAEA observed in its latest report that Iran was still refusing to comply with her international obligations as decided by the preceding United Nations resolutions.
Today, our objective remains, more than ever, to convince Iran to comply with her international commitments. With this new resolution, the Security Council is reaffirming the clear choice confronting the Iranian leaders: to cooperate with the international community or pursue their enrichment-related and reprocessing activities and worsen still further their international isolation.
In this respect, the capture of 15 British sailors and marines by the Iranian forces is a worrying act which goes against the efforts to calm things down and is one we condemn. I call for their immediate release.
Once again, I urge the Iranian authorities to opt for dialogue and return to the negotiating table./.
… Arrest of 15 Royal Navy sailors by the Iranian authorities Daily press briefing by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson (Paris, March 29, 2007) The Iranian ambassador to France, Ali Ahani, was summoned today to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
We informed him that the arrest of 15 Royal Navy sailors by the Iranian authorities on March 23 was a matter of deep concern to the French authorities, as proved by President Chirac’s statements.
We reaffirmed our solidarity with the British and asked the Iranian authorities to release the detained sailors as soon as possible. Meanwhile the Iranians must permit the right of visit to be exercised.
Interview given by M. Philippe Douste-Blazy, Minister of Foreign Affairs to “RTL” radio (Paris, March 30, 2007)
Q. - Yesterday you had a meeting at the Foreign Ministry with the Iranian ambassador to tell him that France too was demanding the immediate release of the 15 British sailors held prisoner in Tehran for the past week. For the moment the Iranians seem indifferent to these demands, do you think diplomacy can swiftly resolve this crisis?
It must, because the Iranian forces' seizure of 15 sailors, their detention by the Iranian authorities, is serious.
Q. - Is it an act of provocation?
In any case, this is a very serious and unacceptable act which we immediately condemned. Yes, we stand shoulder to shoulder with the British. President Chirac said this on Sunday, I had said it on Saturday. We're calling on the Iranians to release the sailors as quickly as possible and unconditionally. (…)./.
…Riyadh summit Daily press briefing by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson (Paris, March 29, 2007)
Q - Do you think that the resolution at the Riyadh summit is going to give a real boost to reviving the peace process? How do you see the Quartet’s role in this context?
The resolution at the Riyadh summit you’re referring to renews the offer of negotiation made by the Arab states in 2002.
I would remind you that France has always supported this Arab peace initiative of 2002, which is part of the roadmap and proposes the normalization of relations between Israel and the Arab states in exchange for the return of the Hebrew state to the 1967 borders, the foundation of a Palestinian state and the resolution of the Palestinian refugee problem. In our view it is on this basis that the peace process must be pursued.
The Quartet obviously has a decisive role to play. As you know, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, in the context of his tour of the region, suggested a meeting be held soon between the Quartet members, Israel, the Palestinian Authority and several Arab states.
… Egypt Daily press briefing by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson (Paris, March 27, 2007)
Q - Do you have any comment about the referendum in Egypt?
Egypt has been engaged in a major program of constitutional and political reform for some years which we have welcomed. We have taken careful note of the concerns of NGOs and certain Egyptian political parties about the latest constitutional reform and the referendum. We are taking note of the results of the referendum, which was held yesterday. In our view the objective must certainly be to continue the reforms towards openness and democratization in Egypt.
Q - Is this kind of move likely to strengthen democracy in Egypt?
Again, we’ve observed for some time that there has been an important development from a democratic point of view, for example, the introduction of pluralism in the presidential election. The fact that there have been certain positive developments is something we welcome.
About this specific referendum and the constitutional amendments that have been introduced, we have taken note of the concerns of NGOs and certain Egyptian political parties.
We have noted the results while observing that turn-out was apparently fairly low. We don’t have the final results yet. Turnout may have been rather poor which can perhaps be explained by the fact that little time elapsed from the announcement of the referendum to actually holding it.
What’s important is that beyond this specific referendum, the direction is being maintained, and Egypt is moving towards the democratization and openness of the country.
… Kosovo Daily press briefing by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson (Paris, March 27, 2007)
Q - Mr. Ahtisaari said again yesterday that gradual independence is what’s best for Kosovo. What does France think of this solution of gradual but irreversible independence?
During his trip there last week the minister spoke about the situation. We salute Mr. Ahtisaari for his proposals; we express our gratitude for the work he has done over the last 14 months to find a solution guaranteeing stability in Kosovo.
We regret that no agreement could be found between Belgrade and Pristina, but we consider that the draft statute proposed by the special envoy is a balanced solution that includes extensive guarantees for the Serb community in Kosovo and also takes into account the aspirations of the Albanian community.
We are convinced that the draft can provide Kosovo the stability and clarity it needs for its future. We think that after nine years of a provisional regime and administration by the UN Kosovo needs a clear perspective for the future.
So we will be continuing our efforts now with our partners in the Security Council on the basis of Mr. Ahtisaari’s report so as to pursue the discussions on the final resolution of Kosovo’s status. France of course still has a presence in Kosovo and will remain so, specifically in the context of the future civilian and military presence envisaged by Mr. Ahtisaari.
