Daily press briefing by Ministry Spokesperson
Statements made by the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs Spokesperson (excerpts)
(Paris, 11 September 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 )]
SEVENTH ANNIVERSARY OF SEPTEMBER 11 ATTACKS
Today is the anniversary of the tragedy of 11 September 2001. Our thoughts go out first to the victims of this unprecedented terrorist attack, to their families and loved-ones, just as they are with the victims of all acts of terrorism in the world.
France and the international community remain mobilized to continue the fight against terrorism.
As the current president of the European Union, France accords great importance to strengthening international cooperation against the terrorist threat. At the beginning of the month she took an active part at the UN in the international work to revise the global anti-terrorist strategy adopted by the UN in September 2006.
The fight against terrorism must be carried out unwaveringly in all aspects, with respect for human rights and international humanitarian law, by attacking terrorist networks, doing everything possible to prevent their actions but also acting on the causes which feed extremism and terrorism.
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GEORGIA
Q. - Ossetian “President” Eduard Kokoity has announced that the Georgian separatist region of South Ossetia, which was recognized as independent by Russia in August, will join the Russian Federation. What’s your reaction? Can Mr Kokoity take part in the international talks in Geneva on 15 October after making such an announcement? Do you find Mr Kokoity’s contradictory statements on Russia’s annexation of South Ossetia troubling?
Mr Kokoity completely retracted his statement, less than two hours later, saying that South Ossetia has no intention of joining the Russian Federation.
Let me recall the position of the EU and the international community which have condemned the Russian Federation’s recognition of the unilateral declaration of independence by the self-proclaimed authorities of South Ossetia, and also of Abkhazia.
The EU presidency firmly recalls its commitment to Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity within her internationally recognized borders.
With regard to your second question, the international talks referred to in point 6 of the agreement of 12 August 2008 will start in Geneva on 15 October in accordance with the result of the talks on 8 September. They will focus on the modalities for security and stability in the region and on the question of refugees and displaced persons. The preparatory talks on the framework, format and participation in this process have just begun.
To reply to your third question, I don’t consider it necessary to comment on these contradictory statements.
Q. - Russia has announced she’s going to maintain about 3,800 soldiers in South Ossetia. Moscow said it will leave about 3,800 in Abkhazia. Is this a violation of the 12 August ceasefire accord and previous agreements limiting the number of soldiers that Russia can deploy in these territories?
As we emphasized yesterday, we are sticking to the 8 September agreement on the implementation of the 12 August accord.
It provides in particular for the complete withdrawal of Russian peacekeeping forces from the areas adjacent to South Ossetia and Abkhazia to their positions prior to the outbreak of hostilities.
In this perspective we are actively working on the establishment of international observer missions which will see to it that point 5 of the 12 August agreement is applied.
RUSSIA/VENEZUELA
Q. - Two Russian strategic bombers have been in Venezuela since Wednesday for “training flights,” two days after the Russian Navy announced joint naval manoeuvres in the Caribbean in November. Is France, who has a military presence in the West Indies, worried that these deployments reflect a destabilization in the region in an already very strained international context?
Venezuelan ports are visited by foreign warships making ports-of-call every year.
In the case of France, there are two or three ports-of-call in Venezuela a year. They’re by ships stationed in French departments in America.
Similarly France and Venezuela have regular exchanges of units as part of their annual cooperation programme. Venezuelan units also take part in exercises organized by France in the West Indies every year.
Any port-of-call by Russian ships to Venezuelan ports or visits by strategic bombers is a matter for that country and does not call for comment from us.
While we have no comment on bilateral cooperation between two States, we draw attention to the fact that nothing must be done that might raise concerns and tensions in the region./.