Daily press briefing by Ministry Spokesperson
Statements made by the Ministry of Foreign and European Spokesperson (excerpts)
(Paris, 29 July 2008)
[Please note that only the original French text issued by the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs may be considered official. (http://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr )]
FRANCE/UNITED KINGDOM/SUDAN
Bernard Kouchner will be in London tomorrow for talks followed by a working dinner with his British counterpart, David Miliband. On the agenda will be subjects such as Afghanistan; the situation in Africa, notably Zimbabwe; Georgia; the Iranian nuclear issue; and relations between the EU and Russia.
Q. - Yesterday, the Sudanese Foreign Minister said he had received written proposals from France and the UK to resolve the crisis with the international community, and that he had travelled to France and to London in that regard. Can you give us any details?
When I referred to African crises, that included Sudan, of course […]. I can confirm that Mr Deng came to Europe and had talks in France. No French documents were conveyed to Mr Deng at that time. On the other hand, the French position on the current situation was discussed, and that position is clear: we want Sudan to fulfil her obligations to the ICC. Her two current obligations relate to Mr Haroun and Mr Kushayb, for whom arrest warrants were issued by the ICC’s Pre-Trial Chamber. In addition, we are obviously attached to achieving a comprehensive settlement to the Darfur crisis, which will come about through political dialogue, improving the security conditions on the ground, and dealing with all humanitarian and development issues. We are asking for Sudan to fulfill her obligations with respect to the ICC. That, for the time being, doesn’t concern President al-Bashir because only one arrest warrant has been issued by the prosecutor, Mr Ocampo. […] That’s what we reminded Mr Deng.
[…]
UNITED NATIONS HUMAN RIGHTS COMMITTEE
France has just learned of the UN Human Rights Committee’s recommendations. We have begun examining them with the utmost attention. This report comes in the wake of France’s appearance before the committee on 9 and 10 July, which provided the opportunity for a fruitful dialogue - always precious when it comes to the sensitive, crucial issue of civil and political rights. The committee noted France’s efforts in the implementation of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the progress made in this area. But it also raised questions to which we must respond.
France would like to take this opportunity to reiterate her support for the international system to protect and promote human rights, which plays a crucial role […] and to which we are strongly attached. No country can claim it is perfect, and it is in this spirit that we are carrying out a constructive dialogue with the various bodies concerned. We encourage all nations to do the same. We have a rigorous concept of human rights that naturally applies to ourselves as well.
I want to […] remind you that we consider these exercises to be useful and positive: They correspond perfectly to our concern for respecting the international system for protecting and promoting human rights as a whole. I also want to underscore that […] we don’t see ourselves as “lesson givers” on human rights. We believe that no one has achieved a total respect for human rights; it is a path that requires an effort on everyone’s part. That is the context in which we are considering the report.
[…]
STATEMENT OF THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION ON THE OCCASION OF THE INAUGURATION OF THE NEW GOVERNMENT OF THE FORMER YUGOSLAV REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA
The new Government of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia took up office on 26 July.
The Presidency of the Council of the European Union would like the Government and Parliament to swiftly do everything in their power to adopt the reforms needed to move towards European integration.
It calls on the opposition and majority to work together to this end while respecting democratic rules and peaceful political activities with no boycotts.
It recalls the June 2008 European Council conclusions concerning possible further steps towards the European Union by the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.
DECLARATION BY THE PRESIDENCY ON BEHALF OF THE EUROPEAN UNION ON THE EXECUTION OF 29 PEOPLE IN EVIN PRISON IN IRAN
The European Union condemns in the strongest terms the 29 simultaneous executions that took place in Evin prison, Iran, on Sunday, 27 July 2008.
It considers that the Iranian regime’s action of staging these executions and making them the focus of media attention is an affront to human dignity.
The European Union remains convinced that capital punishment cannot form the basis of a fair and effective prosecution policy: the deterrent effect of this penalty has never been proved and any judicial error is irreversible.
The European Union is deeply concerned about the increasing recourse to the death penalty in Iran in recent months. It urges the Iranian authorities to put an end to death sentences and executions, to establish a moratorium with a view to abolishing the death penalty in accordance with the resolution adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on 18 December 2007, and to respect international human rights standards for all Iranians.
The Candidate Countries Turkey, Croatia* and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia*, the Countries of the Stabilization and Association Process and potential candidates Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro and Serbia, and the EFTA countries Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, members of the European Economic Area, as well as the Republic of Moldova align themselves with this declaration.
* Croatia and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia continue to be part of the Stabilization and Association Process.
[…]
FRANCE/UK/RUSSIA
Q. - During the meeting between M. Kouchner and Mr Miliband in London, will the question of the EU’s relations with Russia be discussed, and specifically, which points?
We’ll let the ministers be more specific on those points. At least two aspects will be included: first the prospects for cooperation between Europe and Russia on the major international crises of the day, including the UN Security Council’s management of the major international crises; and second, most likely, Mr Medvedev’s proposal to conclude a treaty on European security and considerations of what Europe’s response to that proposal might be. The President of the Republic validated the principle of a response that would enable Europe and Russia to build an increasingly peaceful, constructive relationship. The subject will certainly be part of the discussions on the EU and Russia.
MIDDLE EAST
Do you have any comment on the situation in the Mideast, notably the latest developments in the Palestinian authority’s financial situation? (…)
(…)
It’s a subject of concern that will no doubt be discussed tomorrow by David Miliband and Bernard Kouchner. We must continue reminding those who attended the Paris Conference for the Palestinian State that they must honour their pledges within a time period that allows for the financing both of civil servants and of the kinds of projects considered at the conference.
Europe and France are among those who made financing available most rapidly, in accordance with their pledges.
Q. - With respect to the Gaza situation, according to our information, it seems that Europeans and even Arab countries would like to exert pressure on Mr Fayyad’s government because it seems they don’t completely support his policies. The pressure would be aimed at changing his government’s behaviour. Any comment?
Concerning the Gaza situation, there is no change in the French position. We believe there must be an inter-Palestinian dialogue between Fatah and Hamas. That dialogue must be as constructive and peaceful as possible, because any delay in either the dialogue or in the solutions that could help stabilize the situation is to the detriment of the suffering people. We sincerely encourage Fatah and Hamas to engage in this constructive dialogue.
BALKANS
Q. - Do you see signs or indications that the new [Macedonian] government is more pro-European? […] And does the French Presidency of the European Union have a position on [yesterday’s] statement [by the former Serbian prime minister claiming that the International Criminal Court in The Hague is an institution that creates injustice]?
We have no position on that statement, we have a position on the basics, and it is extremely clear. I believe it has been reaffirmed as clearly as can be.
First, we consider that the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia is an absolutely major institution, not just for international justice but also for the people of the Balkans, so that they can look to tomorrow and no longer to yesterday. It’s an institution that allows for the victims’ memories to be respected and for families to mourn.
On this subject, the French position, the French position as President of the EU, and the EU position are extremely clear. For us, the ICC creates justice, not injustice. Make no mistake about it. I really don’t feel like engaging in an argument with Mr Kostunica, who is a former leader with no executive duties today.
On the other hand, we are happy to hail the attitude of the new Serbian authorities in Belgrade. They are clearly pro-democratic, pro-European and respectful of international justice, as shown by the arrest of Radovan Karadzic. Finally, we want to remind you that, as you know, there are still warrants out for two people and we hope they will follow the same path as Radovan Karadzic.
As for your first question, the [Macedonian] government has just been sworn in, let’s let it get to work. What we find striking, and rather positive, is that in the Balkan region, you can clearly see - very clearly and in each country - a shift towards Europe, and perhaps, too, a generational dynamic that’s contributing to that. (…)./.