Today's Date:

(...)

DEFENSE INDUSTRY/EU STRATEGIC AUTONOMY

THE MINISTER – I don't comment on rumours. The simple fact is that to compete we need European-size companies. This has begun with EADS. The same things need to be done in the naval defence industry. I am today presenting to the Council of Ministers a Bill to open up the capital of DCN [Direction des Chantiers Navales – leading French naval shipyard] to private investors, so that it can link up with other companies. In Germany, a first hub is being created with the alliance of HDW and ThyssenKrupp. In Spain, Izar's policy, which is going to separate its civilian and military activities, is encouraging the possibility of closer ties. This will leave the land defence industry where the same thing will have to be done. Let's avoid European companies competing for exports in a way which would benefit others.

CHINA/ARMS EMBARGO

THE MINISTER – The decision to impose this embargo was taken fifteen years ago in a very different context. This is why France and her partners consider it anachronistic, given the present significant development of political and economic relations between the European Union and China. The lifting of this embargo is a political decision. It doesn't mean we are abandoning a responsible policy on arms deliveries. In our export policy we always seek everywhere to maintain regional balances and the security of our and our allies' forces.

COTE D'IVOIRE

THE MINISTER – The French troops who opened fire had no other solution. In every case, they did so in accordance with the rules and in legitimate defence. A Côte d'Ivoire Ministry of Health report says that over half the Ivorian deaths are due to crowd stampedes and the settling of accounts between common law detainees released during the riots in Abidjan. According to our own assessments, the action of the French troops led to around 20 Ivorian deaths during the four clashes.

THE MINISTER – First of all at Abidjan airport. At the beginning of the riots, we had to take measures to evacuate our nationals and foreigners who were under threat, and bring in reinforcements. The Ivorian soldiers wanted to prevent this. There was an exchange of shots during which six of our soldiers were injured; there were certainly casualties on the other side. At the same time, we brought in reinforcements from the north of the country to strengthen our capabilities to protect the French and foreigners under threat in Abidjan. These forces were attacked several times on their way. We had to retaliate in order to get through. Virtually simultaneously, the rioters tried to retake the airport. We then tried to deny them use of the bridges leading to this nerve centre. Warning shots into the water, from helicopters, weren't enough. It was necessary to take out the first vehicles which tried to break through our road blocks. Finally, the next day, around the Hôtel Ivoire, from which we had just evacuated the French nationals, our soldiers were prevented from withdrawing. There was a deliberate desire, when the South African President Thabo Mbeki was there, to create an incident. A French soldier was pushed towards the crowd by an Ivorian policeman who was supposed to be separating the forces from the crowd, whilst several men tried to seize a machine gun on one of our vehicles. Shots had to be fired as a last resort so that the forces could extricate themselves. No one must be fooled by the disinformation operation of the Ivorian media and some officials. On the contrary, I want to commend the very great self-control and professionalism of the French soldiers.

THE MINISTER – The crisis between the government and the New Forces can under no circumstances be resolved militarily. Marcoussis is the basis of the Accra Agreement, which provides for institutional reforms and the disarmament of rebel troops. It was signed by all the parties and has to be implemented to allow elections in 2005. I hope that the latest UN resolution, which provides for individual sanctions against anyone attempting to oppose this agreement, will have a positive effect.

THE MINISTER – The situation is still very fragile: the “Young Patriot” paramilitary groups remain mobilized and very aggressive towards the French. Incidents can happen to anyone. There’s a real risk. I sincerely hope that lasting calm returns./.