Today's Date:

Ukraine/Côte d'Ivoire

Interview given by Michel Barnier, Minister of Foreign Affairs to "France Inter".

Tours, December 3, 2004

UKRAINE

THE MINISTER – It's a sound decision because it recognizes that the people's decision must be respected in Ukraine. And that's precisely what's been at issue since the presidential election which everyone acknowledges wasn't fair, wasn't honest or democratic – that's why the Ukrainian people are demonstrating – to the extent that the present President of Ukraine had called, a few days ago, for a return to the ballot box. So that's what that country's supreme court has just decided in the framework of the Ukrainian institutions. Frankly, I think it's a sound, fair decision, a democratic one. The European Union had unanimously spoken precisely along these lines through our Secretary-General, Javier Solana, who has been to Kiev twice.

THE MINISTER – Yes, I think it's a sign of maturity, of a responsible attitude on the part of the different political leaders. Everyone has been impressed by the dignity, strong feelings of this people, the thousands of Ukrainians who have demonstrated day and night simply to get their will respected.

COTE D'IVOIRE

THE MINISTER – (...) The French armed forces did their duty and all the French who have come back – because they were forced to come back, and I welcomed many at Roissy airport – told us how touched they were by the French soldiers' solidarity, efficacy and willingness to help. Now it's true, there have been tragic events which began, I repeat and remind you, with the shelling of a camp in which nine soldiers died, even though they were carrying out a peace mission; there have been other demonstrations where French soldiers have had to use their right of legitimate defence to protect themselves and protect citizens placed under their protection. So these are tragic and regrettable events and I think now that, going beyond these events, it's necessary to rebuild a political process, and with calm restored, I hope long-term, reason will return. With the mediation of the African leaders, in the United Nations framework – since we're operating solely in that framework –, the protagonists of the North and South must keep their word, honour their signatures, the ones they put at the bottom of the Marcoussis and Accra Agreements which provide, not for the use of weapons, violence or invective, but of democracy and politics to put that country back on the right path.

THE MINISTER – Yes, the situation is fragile and tense, I remind you that the French are there under a United Nations mandate, that they are carrying out a peace and stability mission and that our sole aim is to help bring peace and stability to the country and generally to the other places in Africa where we have a presence; again, everyone must remain calm, come back to their senses and think about the future of the country, its economic development. How is growth going to return, how is the country going to regain the dynamism the young Ivorians need? It will do so only when foreign investors, and not just the French, have confidence. Confidence demands stability, democracy. Côte d'Ivoire must now resume the path of democracy and stability by implementing as quickly as possible the Marcoussis Agreement which provides for open presidential elections on one side and disarmament on the other. All this is written down, it's all been signed and now everyone must honour their signatures./.