Today's Date:

Press conference given by M. Bernard Kouchner, Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, to French press correspondants,(excerpts)

THE MINISTER – It means, today in particular, that it was a good day, not because I came, but because the discussions between Mahmoud Abbas and Prime Minister Olmert apparently went well. (…) What's more, there are also prospects as regards removing some of the roadblocks in the West Bank and also releasing a number of Palestinians.

HAMAS/GAZA

THE MINISTER – Yes, you can make that analogy, but it wouldn't be correct. I think what happened with Hamas, particularly against Fatah and the PLO, does warrant us holding off a bit more and certainly not taking part – I might add, no one wants to – in political talks with Hamas. But, on the other hand, as I stressed earlier, the Palestinian people of Gaza must know they aren't forgotten and that we'll continue helping them. From the information I have on the living conditions of the people in Gaza, they are, in fact, on the whole not that bad, which doesn't mean they've got everything they need, but that we must go on helping them. And, moreover, salaries are also being paid in Gaza, as you know.

THE MINISTER – Yes, but you're not going to ask me to repair the economic fabric straightaway: first there have to be talks, actual policies, peace and finally calm in the region. (…) I believe everyone has acknowledged that, for the moment, what's important, alongside the humanitarian aid provided for the people, is the development of a policy which was inconceivable even four months ago. So I think it's good for things to be happening like this, and that there's a glimmer of hope and that Mr Abu Mazen is in a better situation than a while ago. I don't doubt that, on the other side, we'll see in Israel the same, slightly more cheerful smile than usual.

THE MINISTER – There isn't any de facto partitioning. What is there? Perhaps in a cynical – but, for the future and for peace, I believe effective – way, we have to "take advantage” – if I may put it like that – of this situation which neither we nor Fatah wanted, so that things move forward and that at last we find a more long-term solution. This is what must be done. It doesn't mean we'll never talk to Hamas, but that it isn't, at any rate, the moment to do so. (…)./.