Daily press briefing by Ministry Deputy Spokesperson

GEORGIA

France is concerned about reports of looting, the destruction of homes and intimidation against certain populations, especially in the regions of Tskhinvali and Akhalgori, in South Ossetia. She calls on all the parties to respect international humanitarian law and human rights, guarantee the protection of civilians and refrain from all provocation.

Q. - The Council of the Federation, the upper chamber of the Russian Parliament, voted Monday to recognize Georgia’s breakaway republics of Abkhazia and South Ossetia though the decision now goes to the Russian executive. What’s your reaction?

France reaffirms her attachment to respect for Georgia’s independence, territorial integrity and sovereignty within her internationally recognized borders. She wants to see a political solution to the conflicts in Georgia.

Q. - Does convening a special EU summit mean that the French presidency is giving Russia a week to comply with its undertakings by leaving her positions around Poti and agreeing to an international mechanism? Or is France acting at the request of several EU members, including Poland, without signalling a hardening of her position?

President Sarkozy, the current President of the EU Council, announced last night his intention to hold a council meeting on 1 September.

In so doing he is responding to a request that had been made to him by European heads of State and government when the crisis first broke out.

Two matters will be on the agenda at the meeting:

 the situation in Georgia and how to help the country, specifically in three areas: humanitarian assistance, EU involvement on the ground to assist in the implementation of the ceasefire and the establishment of the international mechanism provided for in point 5 of the six-point agreement, and the reconstruction of Georgia;

 the future of relations between the European Union and Russia.

We keep on pressing the Russian authorities about the importance of rapidly withdrawing Russian soldiers present in the Poti/Senaki corridor, in the area adjacent to Abkhazia, and on compliance with point 5 of the agreement on additional security measures. It is particularly urgent to set up an international mechanism under OSCE auspices with the participation of the European Union.

Q. - Russia has announced that her forces will carry out regular inspections of cargo at the port of Poti which is outside the security zone, far from South Ossetia. What’s your reaction? Is France worried that Georgia’s economy could be permanently destabilized?

There is no provision for a Russian military presence in Poti or for such controls in the six-point agreement.

The port of Poti is in fact vitally important for the Georgian economy’s normal operation.

France reaffirms her attachment to respect for Georgia’s independence, territorial integrity and sovereignty within her internationally recognized borders.

(…)

KYRGYZSTAN/PLANE CRASH

We were deeply shocked at the news of a plane crash at the Bishkek-Manas airport, in Kyrgyzstan, in which over 60 people lost their lives and many others were injured.

We offer the victims’ families and friends and the Kyrgyz authorities our condolences at this painful time.

CHAD/TRIAL OF HISSENE HABRE

Q. - What’s your reaction to the sentence handed down on former president Hissene Habre by the Chadian judicial authorities even though he is being prosecuted in Senegal?

In July 2006 the African Union mandated Senegal to prosecute former president Hissene Habre for war crimes and torture while he was president of Chad from 1982 to 1990. We applaud Senegal’s commitment to prosecute Hissene Habre on her territory. This is a courageous act and sends a strong signal in the fight against impunity in Africa and elsewhere.

Like the African Union and many NGOs, we attach great importance to this trial of Hissene Habre.

In order to assist, we’ve undertaken alongside the European Union to support the Senegalese authorities in the organization of the trial. The EU appointed a mission of European experts in Dakar in order to examine the various aspects of the procedure, particularly at the judicial and financial levels.

With regard to Hissene Habre’s recent sentence in a trial conducted by the Chadian criminal court, we have taken note of the information from the Chadian judicial authorities that he was prosecuted on charges other than those for which Senegal has been mandated. Consequently this shouldn’t affect the trial in Senegal.

We also reaffirm the steadfast opposition of France and the European Union to the death penalty, whatever the circumstances involved.

MIDDLE EAST

Q. - Do you have any comment on the humanitarian operation in Gaza on Saturday and the vessel that went through the Israeli blockade?

We were told about the initiative by non-governmental organizations. As you know, we are concerned about the situation in Gaza, especially the humanitarian situation./.