Daily press briefing by Ministry Deputy Spokesperson

GEORGIA

We continue to follow closely the development of the situation on the ground. We remain mobilized at all levels and in all the relevant forums. We are in permanent contact with all the actors.

At his initiative, President Sarkozy, president of the European Council, had a telephone conversation with President Medvedev yesterday, 17 August. He emphasized that the signature of the six-point agreement, signed by all the parties concerned, lastly by the President of the Russian Federation, should lead to an immediate withdrawal of all Russian military forces that have entered into Georgia since 7 August.

President Sarkozy warned President Medvedev of the serious consequences that failure to implement the agreement quickly and fully would have on Russia’s relations with the European Union.

President Medvedev announced that the withdrawal of Russian troops will begin during the middle of the day Monday, 18 August.

We are being vigilant regarding compliance with the commitments that have been made, in particular the withdrawal of Russian troops and, obviously, free access to civilians for humanitarian organizations.

During their conversation, the two heads of State agreed on the deployment of international observers from the OSCE as soon as possible. We hope the member States take a decision this very afternoon at the meeting of the permanent council so as to bring the number of OSCE observers on the ground to 100.

The two presidents also agreed to talk by phone daily regarding the implementation of the ceasefire agreement.

The Minister, Bernard Kouchner, for his part, has spoken daily and several times with US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, NATO Secretary-General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, Turkish Foreign Minister Ali Babacan and with several of his EU counterparts.

In the wake of the meeting of the 27 foreign ministers in Brussels last week, the Council’s secretariat general and the European Commission are working with the French presidency on proposals for the EU to be involved in practical terms in a peaceful and lasting solution to the conflicts in Georgia. At the Minister’s request, a working meeting is to take place at the Quai d’Orsay this afternoon with representatives of both institutions to examine the possible options.

A special North Atlantic Council meeting at foreign ministers’ level is to meet tomorrow, Tuesday, 19 August in Brussels to discuss the situation. Bernard Kouchner will be participating.

Talks in the Security Council in New York on the adoption of a resolution that would help to stabilize the situation in Georgia continued all weekend. The negotiations on the text proposed by France will resume today. We call on the Council members to adopt this text without further delay.

Q. - M. Kouchner announced in the "Journal du Dimanche" that he would be going to Georgia and Russia. Do you already have the dates?

The Minister said he might return to Georgia and Russia depending on the development of the situation, but there’s no definite date at this point for any such trip.

Q. - M. Kouchner is to meet in Poland this week with his American counterpart and several of his European colleagues on the crisis in Georgia. When and in what city will the meeting take place?

No such trip is scheduled. However, the Minister will meet his American and European colleagues at the special meeting of the North Atlantic Council in Brussels tomorrow.

GEORGIA/FRENCH PRESIDENCY/EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

European Affairs Minister of State Jean-Pierre Jouyet will travel to Brussels on Wednesday, 20 August in order to present to the European Parliament the conclusions of the special session of the General Affairs and External Relations Council on Georgia, which met on 13 August, and spell out the efforts undertaken by the presidency in the past few days.

The Minister of State will address the Foreign Affairs Committee (AFET) and Security and Defence Sub-Committee (SEDE) of the European Parliament at a special joint meeting.

HAITI

Haiti was hit badly this weekend, with tragic events resulting in the deaths of several dozen people and leaving many others injured.

France’s thoughts go out to the victims of Tropical Storm Fay and the accident of a truck which, toppling into the raging waters of a river, lead to the drowning of over 50 people. France offers her sincere condolences to the families and loved-ones of those who died and to the Haitian government and people. She wishes the survivors of these terrible events a prompt recovery. France expresses her friendship and solidarity with the people of Haiti in these tragic circumstances.

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PAKISTAN

Q. - What’s your reaction to the resignation of Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf just before he was due to be impeached by his government?

We’ve taken note of President Musharraf’s decision to step down.

France calls on all of Pakistan’s political forces to respect the constitutional framework and the rule of law.

We hope that the next president and government of Pakistan can work in a constructive atmosphere and with respect for the institutions in order to meet the many challenges which Pakistan must face, guarantee stability and democracy in this great partner country and enable it to assume its regional and international responsibilities in the best conditions.

MIDDLE EAST

Q. - The Minister is travelling to the Middle East in a few days. Can you give us an overview of the trip - the countries he’s going to, the order, and the meetings scheduled etc., the aims, and in preparation for what - and also tell us about the international context of the visit?

I can confirm that the Minister is to make a tour of the Middle East from 22 to 25 August which will take him in turn to Lebanon, Syria, Israel, the Palestinian Territories and Egypt.

We will tell you about the visit in detail as soon as possible.

ATTACKS IN IRAQ

Q. - Do you have any reaction to the latest violence in Iraq, both against Shi’ite pilgrims heading to Karbala and also the attack targeting an important Sunni militia leader who was allied with the American forces in Baghdad and who, with others, was an important figure in imposing the new security order in Iraq?

France strongly condemns the attacks on Shi’ite pilgrims which resulted in over 30 deaths and the attack in Baghdad on Farooq al-Obeidi.

She offers her condolences to the victims’ families and friends, and expresses her solidarity with the government and Iraqi people.

France again urges all Iraqis to unite in order to reject violence, consolidate the progress made in security for the good of all and find the path to reconciliation, peace and security.

DALAI LAMA’S VISIT

Q. - Does the Minister plan to meet the Dalai Lama on Friday, the 22nd, in the company of the First Lady? After agreeing to see the spiritual leader in Nantes on the 20th he then said he couldn’t be free that day because of the crisis in Georgia so has a separate meeting between the Minister and the Dalai Lama now been ruled out?

As the Minister said himself, he hopes to be able to meet the Dalai Lama. But his schedule was upset by the crisis in Georgia - he’s attending the NATO foreign ministers’ meeting and hasn’t ruled out returning to Russia and Georgia. He’s also preparing for a trip to the Middle East./.