Daily press briefing by Ministry Spokesperson

Statements made by the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs Spokesperson (excerpts)

(Paris, 16 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 )]

GENERAL AFFAIRS AND EXTERNAL RELATIONS COUNCIL

The General Affairs and External Relations Council, meeting in Brussels on 15 September and chaired by Foreign and European Affairs Minister Bernard Kouchner, produced significant results.

First, ministers reaffirmed the European Union’s commitment to resolving the conflict in Georgia, following the agreement on implementing the 12 August accord, endorsed in Moscow and Tbilisi on 8 September through EU mediation. The Council called on all parties to fully implement this agreement, as well as the 12 August accord, within the timeframes that have been set out, including the withdrawal of all Russian forces and the return of Georgian military forces to their bases.

Ministers decided, in accordance with the conclusions of the 1 September European Council, to send an independent civilian mission to Georgia in the framework of the European security and defence policy. This will be deployed by 1 October and will be at least 200 strong (about 60 will be French nationals). The mission will monitor the actions of the parties, including complete respect in Georgia for the 12 August six-point accord. It will also contribute to stabilization, normalization and the establishment of a climate of trust.

The Council invited the Commission to prepare the donors’ conference - to be held in Brussels in October - to help with the reconstruction and recovery of the Georgian economy, and with the return of displaced persons. The European Commission’s contribution could be on the order of €500 million for the period 2008-2010. Ministers also appointed Pierre Morel to be the European Union special representative for the conflict in Georgia.

The Council then welcomed the agreement on a national unity government reached in Zimbabwe on 11 September and said the EU stands ready to adopt a raft of economic support measures and measures to support a transitional government taking steps to restore democracy and the rule of law in Zimbabwe, particularly by holding transparent, multiparty elections. It will revisit the situation in Zimbabwe at its next session in October.

The Council also reaffirmed the EU’s engagement in Somalia, in particular by support for Somali police capacities, the support given by the EU and its Member States to AMISOM and the humanitarian assistance delivered to civilians.

With regard to maritime piracy, the General Affairs Council yesterday endorsed the political agreement among the 27 Member States for a joint EU action to set up a special European unit to handle coordination. The implementation plan for this unit was adopted. A strategic military option was also adopted, paving the way for a possible naval operation (ESDP). The European Union is assuming its responsibilities.

This coordination unit, commanded by a superior officer and composed of experienced seamen, will be tasked with coordinating the deployment of European ships in the area off the Somali coast, capable of intervening to support surveillance of the area and to escort certain vessles that are particularly vulnerable to pirate attacks. Of course, we are pursuing efforts to get more EU Member States to mobilize: the security of our ships and nationals is at issue.

The European initiative should have two aspects: escorting certain vulnerable ships in transit in the area, and protecting humanitarian convoys from the World Food Programme headed for Somalia.

A French warship is already in the area and will be operational tomorrow. Several of our European partners have signaled their intention to contribute naval or naval air support.

These assets will be deployed in conjunction with the other existing vessels in the area which may also be called on to respond to acts of piracy.

Lastly, with respect to Belarus, the Council will evaluate the situation in the light of the legislative elections and the country’s progress towards the values of democracy and human rights. The Council is prepared now to begin re-examining the restrictive measures against certain Belarus leaders and to take measures that could lead to a gradual re-engagement with Belarus.

(…)

SERBIA

The ICTY Special Prosecutor, Serge Brammertz, briefed the Council on Serbia at the working luncheon of the GAC.

I want to point out, as Bernard Kouchner did yesterday during his press conference in Brussels, that a large majority, though not all, of the European countries, wish to see the interim accord unblocked quickly. There are still countries which consider that a further step is needed with the effective implementation of the arrests of Messrs. Mladic and Hadzic.

A clear majority of member states consider that the recent developments and arrest of Radovan Karadzic should lead to the unblocking of the interim agreement.

Q. - M. Kouchner said that Serbia can use this agreement unilaterally. Can you tell us more?

No, I have the impression there’s a misunderstanding. In order for the interim agreement to be unblocked, there has to be unanimous agreement. At this point, there is no unanimity. The thinking is evolving. A clear majority of countries say categorically that we have to unblock the agreement. It’s not possible to apply the agreement unilaterally. By definition it affects economic relations especially.

Q. - There was talk of unblocking it in October. Do you have more information?

There’s a General Affairs Council on 13 October and we’re not without hope that the decision might be taken at that time. France’s position, like that of the majority of the 27, is that we should move to unblock the agreement.

Q. - Did you discuss the EULEX mission?

The EULEX mission is a topic of discussion by the 27 ministers. It’s a European decision which is part of an international process, and we call on all countries to enable the EULEX mission to deploy. It has an important goal which is the protection of all communities in Kosovo.

Q. - What’s happening with this mission?

Its deployment is under way.

GEORGIA

Q. - Will the 15 October conference be a summit?

No. There are two events. On one hand, the European summit set for 15 October which is the summit of heads of State and government which will address a number of questions: the next steps after the Irish referendum, with a presentation by the Irish Prime Minister and his assessment of the situation, the international financial situation, etc. On the other, it states in the agreement implementing the 12 August agreement signed in Moscow and Tbilisi on 8 September, that the international discussions would begin in Geneva on 15 October;

Q. - At ministerial level?

We’ll see. That’s not been settled yet. European ministers will be at the EU summit in Brussels on the 15th with their heads of State and government.

Q. - Who is taking part at this point? Will the United States be taking part?

As regards the format and mandate of the 15 October meeting in Geneva, I can only tell you that we’re working on it. It is for Pierre Morel, who was officially appointed special representative for the conflict in Georgia, to make proposals. He has begun consultations; we have to let him work. The configuration hasn’t been decided yet.

The mandate on the other hand is agreed: discussions on security and stability, and the return of refugees and displaced persons. Various questions may also be brought up by the participants.

Q. - Regarding the conference on reconstruction?

The principle of a conference on reconstruction in Georgia has been agreed. It will be held in Brussels but the date hasn’t been set yet.

Q. - At what level?

Probably ministerial level, but the format hasn’t been decided yet.

Q. - Is the EU mission still intending to deploy in South Ossetia and Abkhazia? (…)

The European mission is due to deploy in Georgia, and the European position is clear regarding Georgia’s territorial integrity. The international mechanism has the authority to deploy in Georgia. In the framework of the existing mandates:

 the OSCE mission which we’ve already arranged to strengthen. 20 additional OSCE monitors were appointed two weeks ago, a majority of them Europeans - the first to arrive incidentally are French. The mandate allows them to deploy in Ossetia;

 UNOMIG, whose mandate will be discussed in New York in the Security Council on 15 October, allows UN observers to be present in Abkhazia.

The European Mission has authority to deploy in Georgia. The international presence should permit the additional security measures provided for in part B of point 5 of the 12 August agreement, the implementation of which was discussed on 8 September, to end and for an international mechanism to permit the departure of these troops. The mission has authority to deploy on Georgian territory but the deployment on which we’re working now is focused on the areas adjacent to South Ossetia and Abkhazia. The priority is for a replacement of the additional security measures by the international mechanism.

Q. - What will the €500 million be used for, to build military bases?

No. That was made very clear by Benita Ferrero-Waldner at the GAC. It will be for civilian reconstruction.(…)

IAEA DIRECTOR GENERAL’S REPORT

(…)

The IAEA doesn’t make accusations, it establishes facts. I don’t believe anyone disputes the rigorous and serious nature of the IAEA’s work. This report is extremely disturbing.

Q. - The parties are tossing the ball back and forth?

The party that has our confidence in this matter is the IAEA which works independently and with the utmost impartiality.

Q. - Will the 27 be holding talks to go beyond these sanctions?

The 27 will be conferring. We’ll also be working in the more restricted E3+3 format.

Q. - The Chinese don’t agree with you.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman said today at his press briefing, “I don’t think sanctions are the solution.” We’ll be starting discussions on the question but we’re not saying either that sanctions are the solution. We’ve never said so. The solution lies in confirmation, proven by the IAEA, that there is no military dimension to Iran’s nuclear activities.

(…)

LEBANON

Q. - Do you have any comment on the inter-Lebanese dialogue beginning in Beirut today?

You know how much we’re in favour of Lebanese national dialogue. Bernard Kouchner organized the meeting at La Celle Saint-Cloud last summer precisely to jump-start such national dialogue. We supported the efforts at Doha. We strongly support everything that comes in the context of dialogue among the Lebanese and that results in progress towards the stabilization of Lebanon./.