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France/Germany/Russia
Statements made by Jacques Chirac, President of the Republic, during his joint press conference with Vladimir Putin, President of the Russian Federation, and Gerhard Schröder, Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany, following the Franco-German-Russian trilateral meeting
Sochi, August 31, 2004
THE PRESIDENT – (...) I’d like to begin by warmly thanking President Putin for his welcome. He has talked about the issues we discussed at our meeting. KIDNAPPED JOURNALISTS/IRAQ In view of what’s happening at the moment, let me first – and before answering any questions on this meeting – talk about the situation regarding our kidnapped compatriots in Iraq, taken hostage and threatened with death. As I’ve already said, the French public authorities are totally mobilized and absolutely determined to get our hostages – the three hostages [two journalists and their Syrian chauffeur] – returned to us safe and sound. I want to tell you that everything will be done to secure their release. And I want to express my and the French people’s heartfelt gratitude to President Putin and Chancellor Schröder for the wholehearted support they have given us in this ordeal. So, here, in the name of us all, I repeat my solemn call for their release. WORLD CRISES Other than that, we discussed the issues which President Putin has just talked about, noting a convergence of views, generally speaking, on, I’d say, all the problems and particularly all those related to the crises in today’s world. This applies especially to an issue we discussed at length: the fight against terrorism. It’s also the case for a number of local and regional crises which President Putin has just talked about. This is in the nature of things: I, we firmly believe that strengthening the ties between the European Union and Russia is very much a necessary development in the process towards a calm, peaceful and democratic world. This is the spirit in which we met (...). (...) KIDNAPPING OF FRENCH JOURNALISTS Q. – In their last video, the hostages talk directly to you and ask you to intervene, to abrogate the headscarf law. What's your reply and, at this moment, are you particularly worried?
THE PRESIDENT – French democracy has its laws, its values, its traditions. And in the present circumstances, we are totally focused, as you know, on the effort to secure the release of our hostages, the three hostages currently held in IraQ. I have no other comment to make on this point, except to express, again, my gratitude for all the support which has come from the whole world for the efforts we are making to secure our hostages' release.
(...) TROIKA/RUSSIA/GERMANY/FRANCE Q. – You talked about the troika. We know that this troika meets regularly. It would be interesting to know whether there are issues on which you don't agree? That said, we note that the number of international conflicts in the world isn’t decreasing, so what’s your forecast, what can we do, precisely, to try and resolve these issues?
(...) THE PRESIDENT – The Chancellor is right. Our dialogue has been going on for a long time. It is a long-standing and trusting one, in this formation and in others. At the level of heads of State and government, at that of diplomats and foreign ministries, other ministries, and particularly at the UN. Consequently, as the Chancellor has just said, we can have different assessments on specific subjects. But we always arrive at a single conclusion. And that's what makes our dialogue strong and dynamic and what makes it necessary in order to secure a good balance in a future peaceful and stable world. (...) CHECHNYA Q. – (...) Do you think that Russia's policy in Chechnya is helping your fight against international terrorism?
THE PRESIDENT – I totally agree with the feeling the Chancellor expressed. What is important is Russia's position. As regards Chechnya it has been clearly expressed by President Putin. A political solution is necessary and that's what Russia is calling for, and she has said that she is open to all discussion on the implementation of a political solution. Like any political solution, it has its limits which everyone can perfectly understand and no one can seriously dispute: [maintenance of] the Russian Federation's territorial unity. With that as the starting point, I'd like – since the election has taken place and under conditions which don’t enable us to dispute its result – to see the relevant authorities pursue the negotiations in order to achieve this political solution, so that, without, of course, calling into question the integrity of the Russian Federation, changes which are essential for local reasons can be adopted. (...)./.
Embassy of France in the United States - September 1, 2004
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