Today's Date:

THE MINISTER – (...) It was normal to make Abu Dhabi the first stopover on a visit which will take me to five Gulf countries: the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Kuwait, Qatar and Bahrain.

Last year this region went through a difficult period with the irruption of the Iraq crisis, then the war whose convulsions are still being felt. The United Arab Emirates, under Sheikh Zayed's wise leadership, adopted a sound position and preserved the country's stability.

Against this troubled regional background, I was keen to make this visit to tighten still further the bonds of friendship uniting us with the United Arab Emirates in order to pursue our dialogue and together prepare ourselves for the forthcoming crucial decisions in Iraq and the region.

I have been able to appraise the soundness of the views of the Emirate authorities I spoke to and note our common analyses, and to confirm the excellence of our bilateral relations, founded on friendship, solidarity, trust and mutual respect.

IRAQ

On the Iraq issue, we can distinguish between two major phases: the first which takes us up to 30 June when the Coalition, in cooperation with the Interim Governing Council, has the main responsibility for the political process. In this first phase, it's important for all the Iraqis to be involved in the transition and for the handover of responsibilities to begin.

In this context, the United Nations has a role to play, particularly through the meetings organized by the United Nations Secretary-General, and the appointment and mission of Mr Ross Mountain, [Acting] Special Representative for Iraq.

The second phase will begin on 30 June 2004, the date on which Iraq will regain her full sovereignty. It will then be up to the United Nations to direct the process. It must begin preparing now to ensure the success of the different stages leading to the general election scheduled for the end of 2005.

We shall have to support the sovereignty process in order to make it as effective and legitimate as possible. An international conference on Iraq could allow us to legitimize the transition and set the seal on Iraq's full reintegration in her regional and international environment. We shall also have to promote Iraq's reintegration in her regional environment: this implies inter alia thinking about a new security architecture in this part of the world.

MIDDLE EAST

We, of course, talked to the Emirate authorities about the situation in the Middle East, which remains worrying. We cannot, France feels, accept the current impasse. We must explore ideas about how to move forward: by halting the cycle of violence; by returning to the path of negotiation by implementing the Roadmap, particularly by agreeing a ceasefire as soon as possible; by persuading both Israel and the Palestinian movements concurrently to embark on the path to peace by taking concrete measures.

France and the European Union, in cooperation with their Quartet partners - the United Nations, Russia and in particular the United States - are determined to shoulder their responsibilities by pursuing the dialogue, continuing to provide the Palestinians with economic assistance, and establishing as soon as possible a mechanism for supervising the implementation of the Roadmap; finally, by working in Europe and the Arab world to make further progress on the path to peace. France has, as you know, suggested several avenues: an international conference, an international presence deployed on the ground.

UAE/FRANCE

The Emirate authorities and I noted the excellence of our bilateral relations which we are keen to take further in every sphere. France is ready to provide her assistance, whenever she is requested, to the tremendous momentum of development sweeping this region and, in accordance with the needs expressed by the United Arab Emirates, to help them address the challenges of today's world.

I'm very pleased about the admirable development of our exchanges in the economic, cultural, scientific and technical cooperation spheres, and in defence. We have another reason for satisfaction, since the United Arab Emirates and France have in fact begun a phase of cooperation in shipbuilding. A subcontract to build four Baynunah class patrol ships, and the acceptance of two options, was signed between CMN [Constructions mécaniques de Normandie, shipbuilder based in Cherbourg] and ADSB [Abu Dhabi Shipbuilding] at the end of December. I hope that French companies will be involved in equipping these vessels.

Our cooperation isn't confined to the commercial and military spheres. It is also increasingly taking place outside them, in the cultural sphere. Incidentally, I welcome the initiative Euro-Golfe which will see, under the aegis of Paris' Institut d'études politiques and many other universities of the region, the creation of a network of researchers and academics. This will allow exchanges in the social sciences sphere, thereby enabling us to deepen our perception, knowledge of each other.

HIJAB BAN IN FRANCE

Q. – Problems have recently emerged with the Muslim countries because of the legislation France is going to adopt on banning the Muslim headscarf. Will this have repercussions on France's relations with the Arab and Muslim countries and particularly with the countries of origin of the French Muslims?

THE MINISTER – (...) I think I can say that France's position is, on the whole, well understood, but we want, of course, to avoid any misunderstanding. This is why I am happy that you have given me the opportunity to explain France's position.

As you know, France is the country of democracy, of human rights. For several months now, we have been engaged in a very far-reaching, very detailed dialogue with the Muslim community and have created in our country the Conseil français du Culte musulman, allowing the Islam of France to organize its relations with the State.

Islam has, of course, its full place in France and is respected there, and indeed it's to ensure respect for religions and beliefs that the State has to be neutral. This is the French tradition, a tradition of secularism [laïcité], designed to promote integration and equality of opportunity, which in France requires neutrality in public affairs.

The legislation we are preparing in France is thus consistent with a very long-standing historical tradition. It is false to say that it targets Islam and in particular the wearing of the headscarf. I want to put particular emphasis on the fact that there won't be a total ban on wearing the headscarf. The ban will be confined to State schools and civil servants when carrying out their duties. Private, faith schools will not be covered by the legislation, nor will universities, public buildings and areas, and, a fortiori, private ones. So you can see that the aim is indeed to ensure that the secular principle is applied in our State schools, it's a French tradition and we are anxious to ensure that that this principle of secularism, of neutrality can be respected. (...)./.