Today's Date:

– We are all clearly willing to work together. These are regular, yearly summit meetings. It is also an opportunity to take stock of transatlantic relations, with a definite commitment on the part of Europeans to shoulder more of their own responsibilities and to highlight how important this transatlantic relationship is to them. I think that on the American side as well, there is a willingness to branch out into further areas of cooperation, joint action and necessary reflection on both sides of the Atlantic.

– It is in the Americans’ interest to do so, and it is a necessity if we really want to bring about global balance. We need a strong relationship, a respectful relationship which allows for exchanges. And it is true that in Thessaloniki, for the first time, Europeans started thinking of a shared concept of security, a strategic security doctrine. This implies both sharing the evaluation of threats and giving ourselves the means necessary to take action together. This can be seen in the area of Europe’s security and defense policy. For the first time, in the past few days, we have had a joint European initiative outside of Europe. This was the case in Ituri, in the Congo, and as you know this operation was headed by France.

– As you know, this is a preparatory conference under the aegis of the United Nations and we are in the first phase of this crucial reconstruction process, the phase in which the international community and the forces present in the country are laying the groundwork of reconstruction. This reconstruction initially has to meet humanitarian needs—the most immediate needs—and security needs, and it is clear the situation is not yet satisfactory. There remains much to be done in different sectors, in the various regions of Iraq, to really move on and leave behind the chapter of war. It is also necessary to prepare the country’s economic reconstruction right now; this is the objective of the preparatory conference in New York, and it was also one of the goals of the Davos meeting held in Jordan, which was attended by [French Minister Delegate for Industry] Nicole Fontaine.

– I have used the term “pragmatism”, but it should be understood properly. France remains faithful to her principles, France is steadfast in her positions, but France acknowledges that there has been a war. We welcome the fall of Saddam Hussein’s régime. Now, in Iraq’s own interest and for the benefit of the Iraqi people, for the sake of stability in this region, everything must be done for this stability and this reconstruction to be given the best possible foundations.

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Principles are part of the vital substance of diplomacy, especially in a world where, as anyone can see, everything which concerns the identity, culture and foundations of peoples is very important. Principles, law and morality—no, these are not negotiable; however, the way in which we apply these principles and the way we work together must be constantly reexamined.

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Reconstructing Iraq is a huge undertaking; building the foundations of a new Iraq is an immense task. We want to do everything to make this possible. As we clearly said during the negotiations on Resolution 1483, we are convinced that this will only be possible by making the best use of the unity of the international community. Great means are necessary and we absolutely must avoid divisions as to the best way to proceed. All the countries in the region, all the neighboring countries must be mobilized, in sometimes difficult curcumstances. Syria, Iran must be mobilized. This is a huge task we have before us.

– It seems France has sought to demonstrate she is an ally the United States can count on, […] like in the case of the Mohajideen.

– Let us not mistake the meaning of things, and avoid hasty conclusions on such complex situations as these. The case of the Iranian People’s Mohajideen, the Auvers-sur-Oise case, is a legal matter, and this concerns the justice system. This investigation [was opened in 2001] and has followed its natural course, coming to its conclusion and resulting in this operation a few days ago. We are committed, on the strict basis of justice, to do everything in our power to fight terrorism.

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France knows no “good” or “bad” terrorism—we are fully mobilized on all fronts.

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