Daily press briefing by Ministry Spokesman
Statements made by the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs Spokesman
(Paris, 26 January 2010)
[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 )]
ETHIOPIAN AIRLINES PLANE CRASH
I was immensely saddened to learn of the air crash on 25 January involving Ethiopian Airlines Flight ET-409 en route from Beirut to Addis Ababa.
I want to express to Lebanon and Ethiopia France’s deep shock at this tragedy, which, as you know, also affects France, in particular her ambassador to Lebanon and our thoughts are with him. In addition to his wife, two other compatriots are reported missing in the disaster. The French authorities wish to assure the Lebanese and Ethiopian people of their heartfelt sympathy at this time of pain and grief and extend their sincerest condolences to the bereaved.
In this tragedy, France is determined to provide the Lebanese authorities with all the help they need. France has made a maritime patrol aircraft available to Lebanon to help with the rescue operations. She will today be sending two investigators from the French Civil Aviation Directorate-General’s Investigation and Analysis Office. She is ready to provide the Lebanese and Ethiopian authorities with any further assistance they may need.
(…)
HAITI/MONTREAL CONFERENCE
Yesterday, Bernard Kouchner took part in the Ministerial Preparatory Conference on Haiti, hosted by Canada in Montreal, in the presence of Haitian Prime Minister Jean-Max Bellerive.
Following this conference, a statement was adopted reaffirming the principle of respect for the Haitian government’s sovereignty with regard to implementing humanitarian aid and reconstruction projects. The participants pledged to adopt a coordinated, coherent and global approach in order to respond to Haiti’s immediate and long-term needs.
While continuing to provide humanitarian assistance, the participants set long-term objectives since, as Bernard Kouchner reaffirmed, “what was destroyed in a few seconds will have to be rebuilt over several years, under the Haitians’ leadership.”
The participants agreed on three strategic objectives:
strengthened democratic governance;
sustained social and economic development;
enduring stability and the respect for the rule of law.
In addition, the participants established a road map for rebuilding Haiti, with the key event an international donor and partner conference in March at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, steered by the government of Haiti and supported by the key contributors, including Canada, Brazil, the United States, European Union, Spain and France.
I also remind you that, faced with the Haiti tragedy, the EU and its Member States are fully mobilized, as reflected by the scope of its aid, which has now reached €122 million (Commission: €30 million, European Commission Humanitarian Aid Office, Member States: €92 million). In addition to the emergency aid, the EU will mobilize its financial instruments (in particular the European Development Fund) to provide non-humanitarian aid of €100 million, aimed in particular at strengthening the Haitian State’s operational capacity. Over the longer term, the Commission has scheduled the release of €200 million under the European Development Fund.
The Foreign Affairs Council decided on 25 January to respond to the United Nation’s request for support. The EU will provide coordinated support in the following areas:
civil engineering (clearing of rubble, repairing of roads to facilitate delivery of aid);
maritime assets (ships with logistic capabilities);
maintaining law and order: 300 European gendarmes will be deployed in support of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) (including around 100 French gendarmes and contributions from Italy, Spain and the Netherlands).
Lastly, a coordination cell (EUCO Haiti) will be set up in Brussels to pilot the deployment of military assets and action in the security domain.
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FOLLOW-UP MEETING TO THE PARIS INTERNATIONAL DONORS’ CONFERENCE FOR THE PALESTINIAN STATE
In the presence of Palestinian Prime Minister, Salam Fayyad and the Egyptian Foreign Minister, Aboul Gheit, Bernard Kouchner will today have a meeting with Catherine Ashton, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Tony Blair, Quartet Special Representative and Jonas Gahr Stoere, Norwegian Foreign Minister, for a working dinner devoted to the follow-up to the Paris International Donors’ Conference for the Palestinian State.
These working dinners take place regularly to follow-up on the commitments made on 17 December 2007 in Paris. This follow-up has proved effective. It has resulted in the payment of $5.5 billion, a 70% increase in the amount promised over three years, and has enabled Salam Fayyad to undertake the reforms that he pledged to implement in Paris in 2007.
The situation in Gaza will also be discussed during this meeting. The Paris commitments relate to all the Palestinian Territories, including Gaza. New proposals relating to Gaza, and in particular the easing of access restrictions, should be addressed this evening.
(…)
The goal, with the corresponding funding, is to achieve at least the planned amount by the end of this three-year period. The prospect for future developments beyond this period will be discussed this evening during the working dinner taking take place as part of the follow-up to this conference. These efforts should be part of a long-term strategy based on the mobilization of financial resources and efforts by the Palestinian Authority, which should continue its efforts in terms of modernization, improved governance, transparency of financial systems, effectiveness of public revenue, etc. Concerning the third point mentioned, it’s obvious that the more we can contribute to this effort, the better.
Q. - Will the working dinner this evening just focus on the financial aspects or will the political issues be discussed?
(…) This is a political meeting. The political issues will be discussed; the political environment, the international community’s effort, and in particular the follow-up to the Paris conference will also be discussed.
Q. - The previous meetings of the follow-up group did not usually include the Egyptian minister. Is there a particular reason for his participation?
It is a very good thing for the Egyptians to be involved in this mobilization. We have said this many times, and in particular President Sarkozy made special mention of the role that Egypt is playing in the Middle East process during his New Year greeting to the diplomatic corps on Friday. We are delighted that the head of the Egyptian Foreign Ministry is participating in the dinner this evening. On the one hand, because Egypt is a natural and vital partner of France - we collaborate frequently with Egypt on all issues, in all areas – and, in addition, because she can play a key role in these issues – we emphasize this and we encourage it.
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LONDON INTERNATIONAL MEETING ON YEMEN
In cooperation with the Yemeni authorities, the United Kingdom proposed holding a meeting on Yemen and the different challenges confronting that country. Yemen’s main partners have been invited, including the region’s other countries.
France will naturally be there, given the importance we attach to Yemen’s stability and the longstanding relationship of friendship and cooperation we maintain with that country.
In our view this meeting is an opportunity to consult together on the way to help the country address the challenges confronting it, particularly at the economic level (Yemeni youth unemployment, water scarcity, challenge of post-oil era, reform of public finances), but also, for example, to find a way out of the continuing crisis in the North and combat terrorism. Naturally, it’s first of all up to Yemen to act and we are, of course, pinning great hopes on the Yemeni authorities’ commitment. In this respect, we have welcomed the announcement of the forthcoming national dialogue, which we think is very important. The international community has also got a significant role to play to help that country, the region’s poorest, in order to encourage and support its efforts.
Q. - What are France’s expectations?
It is a matter of evaluating the problems that this country is facing. And seeing how we can participate in the framework of the international community and, at a national or European level, how we can try to help them solve their problems. In a situation such as this, we believe that it is important for us to be there and help find solutions when a country, a member of the international community faces problems.
Q. - (…) Does France share the United States’ point of view concerning Yemen? The United States says that we need to help the country get out of its economic slump in order to avoid the establishment of a layer of poverty which would potentially support terrorism since it can be easily influenced. (…)
(…) This analysis of Yemen’s problems is not just the United States and France’s analysis. The Yemenis also share this analysis and they are telling us that they have problems.
Our position is based on trying to come together to help them. The more countries involved the better. We need to find solutions by talking to the Yemenis and to all our international community partners, in particular our European partners. Among the problems we emphasize the threat of terrorism; this is true for many other countries.
Our concern is to find solutions, through consultation and cooperation, and it’s with this in mind that we’re going to the London conference.
(…)
PANAMA
Q. - Yesterday the North American justice system decided to extradite Panama’s General Noriega to France. What is your comment? And do you know the date of extradition?
No, I don’t know the exact date but the appeal that Manuel Noriega made against the decision to extradite him to France was examined on Friday by the United States Supreme Court, which rejected this appeal. This rejection signals the end of the American legal process and represents, at the same time, the successful outcome of a French request issued in April 2004.
The administrative phase will now begin and the US Department of State has 60 days to implement the decision to extradite Mr Noriega.
IRAN/NUCLEAR
Q. - Can you clarify the remarks made yesterday by M. Lellouche concerning Iran and the sanctions? A process is under way at the UN and its statements seemed to indicate that something had to be done immediately at the European level?
He reaffirmed the factors that explain the situation we find ourselves in today: the lack of responses, the evasions, the Iranian contradictions which have governed progress on this issue for months. He reaffirmed the need to work towards trying to get negotiations, and towards dialogue and firmness. (…)./.