Daily press briefing by Ministry Deputy Spokesperson
Statements made by the Ministry of Foreign and European Spokesperson
(Paris, 27 August 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 )]
SOMALIA/OPERATION ALCYON/ WFP SHIPS ESCORT
France welcomes the decision by the Canadian authorities to take over Operation Alcyon escorting World Food Programme (WFP) ships. This operation was mounted at our initiative and we undertook the first escort missions in November 2007. Denmark and the Netherlands subsequently took over.
The first Canadian escort was on Sunday, 24 August. We understand that the Canadian frigate will undertake escort missions for a month.
To date, 27 vessels have been escorted to Somalia and 112,000 metric tons of food aid have been shipped so as to feed nearly a million Somalis for six months.
Canada’s engagement will enable aid to continue to be safely delivered in a sharply deteriorating humanitarian situation which has led the WFP to plan to double its food aid over the next six months. More than 3.5 million Somalis, i.e. 40% of the population, rely on humanitarian aid at this time.
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SUDAN
Q. - What’s the official status in France of Sudanese opposition figure Abdulwahid Nour?
What’s your reaction to the hijacking of the Sudanese Sun Air plane, especially when responsibility is claimed by the Sudan Liberation Movement whose leader is Mr Nour?
Abdulwahid Nour is living in France legally by virtue of a residence permit that has been renewed several times.
We condemn in the strongest possible terms the hijacking of an aircraft of the Sudanese company.
We have taken note of the fact that Abdulwahid Nour has formally denied any involvement by his movement in this matter.
We are delighted at reports that the passengers were released without violence. We hope this matter is resolved as quickly as possible without bloodshed.
Q. - Can you confirm that the hijacked Sudanese airline now in Libya is trying to get fuel to fly to France? Have you been asked to let the aircraft enter French territory? Do you confirm that France has interceded in the negotiations and agreed to let the hijackers come to France in exchange for the passengers’ release?
Even though we consider we’re not directly concerned by the hijacking, we stand ready to help bring about a solution to release all the hostages.
Q. - So France is ready to let the hijackers in if it meant an outcome without bloodshed?
We believe everything must be done to protect the lives of the hostages.
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GEORGIA
Q. - What’s your latest information about preparations by Russian forces for ethnic cleansing in the Georgian town of Akhalgori, criticized by the Minister yesterday as being imminent?
The Minister was referring to eye-witness accounts about acts of violence by South Ossetian militias against the Georgian population. According to Human Rights Watch and UNHCR, cases of looting, the destruction of homes and intimidation against Georgians, a majority in this city, have also been reported at Akhalgori in South Ossetia.
So the Minister wanted to express our concern and emphasize the urgent need for international monitors on the spot.
We are watching the situation.
France calls on all the parties to respect international humanitarian law and human rights, to guarantee the protection of civilians and refrain from any provocation.
Q. - Russia has ordered its Black Sea fleet to “begin monitoring” the movement of NATO ships. Do you think that such “monitoring” will trigger incidents or even clashes? What’s your reaction?
NATO forces are currently conducting a routine exercise planned some time ago off the coast of Bulgaria and Romania, having no relation to the situation in Georgia. There is no plan for these forces to sail towards Georgian waters./.