Today's Date:

THE PRESIDENT - Before my forthcoming visit to Washington on Tuesday, we were able to take stock of European thinking on all the problems related to the fight against terrorism.

We of course reaffirmed our solidarity with the Americans, while being conscious of the fact that the military action, which is indispensable, isn't the only way of fighting international terrorism. We must also step up the efforts to determine the political solution which has to be found to organize Afghanistan - first of all temporarily, then definitively - at the political level and to help resolve the humanitarian problem. This is of enormous concern to us all, particularly the French authorities, since it's clear that the humanitarian situation, not just of the refugees, but also more generally of the whole Afghan population, is becoming extraordinarily critical. Here too, we must, with the Americans, endeavour to organize ourselves to do what's necessary to address this humanitarian situation.

Finally, we all talked about the pressing need to find a solution to the current Middle East problem. It's obviously not true to say that the Middle East crisis is fuelling international terrorism, it's false to claim that, but what, on the other hand, is true is that it's making it easier, is creating a situation which, all in all, is assisting the extremists and Muslim fundamentalists, particularly Bin Laden's organization.

And so we unanimously think that there is a pressing need for the two partners to return to the negotiating table and for a resumption of the peace process and, as soon as possible, to establish a Palestinian State which is both peaceful and, of course, respects the rights, freedoms and security of the State of Israel. That's what the Prime Minister and I talked about. (...) ./.