FRANCE / UNITED STATES
PAKISTAN
MIDDLE EAST
IRAN
Bernard Kouchner will go to Washington on February 5, at the invitation of secretary of state Hillary Clinton.
During their telephone conversation on January 22, the two ministers agreed to meet as soon as possible.
This first work meeting comes within the context of the new transatlantic relationship, we so strongly hoped for. It will provide an opportunity for the two ministers to consult on major global challenges and on major topics in international affairs, notably, the Middle East, Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, Darfur, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Today, the secretary of state will receive her British and German counterparts. In your opinion, does the fact that her French counterpart will be the third to arrive, three days later, call for commentary?
It is not a competition. It was proposed that their meeting take place this week, and Thursday was the day that was possible for Bernard Kouchner. Yesterday he had a working lunch with George Mitchell. Today Abou Mazen is in France, and they are having a working lunch even as we speak. The Colombian Minister of Foreign Affairs is also here in Paris. Yesterday they had a working dinner, and this morning the two ministers signed an agreement within the context of the French-Colombian Commission. Tomorrow morning is the Council of Ministers, and so the only free time is Thursday morning. There was therefore no possibility of getting to Washington before Thursday. It’s a matter of scheduling.
The secretary of state had let us, the British, and the Germans know that the meetings would be held on the basis of everyone’s schedules. We are very happy that David Miliband and Frank-Walter Steinmeier are meeting with Hillary Clinton today. Obviously, the most important thing is the substance of the meetings, and the prospects for working jointly with the new American administration.
Will Bernard Kouchner meet only with Hillary Clinton?
There will be a working meeting expanded to include representatives of the State Department.
So he won’t go to the White House?
No; he is the minister of foreign and European affairs. He is meeting with his counterpart for an initial conversation, and he himself will be accompanied by several staffers.
Will he meet again with George Mitchell while in Washington?
No, because George Mitchell, if I correctly understood what he explained to us during yesterday’s lunch, will not be in Washington on Thursday. We had suggested this idea, but for scheduling reasons, it will not be possible.
France firmly condemns the murder of Syed Hashim, an employee of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Pakistan, and the abduction of John Solecki, a UNHCR official.
These unacceptable acts of violence against the UN affect the entire international community. Attacks against humanitarian personnel and the UN are a serious violation of international humanitarian law.
France reaffirms its support for the UNHCR and pays tribute to its staff members who fulfill their mission to protect and aid refugees and displaced persons with dedication, quite often endangering their own lives.
France calls for the immediate release of John Solecki.
France condemns the continued construction of settlements, notably in the so-called E-1 area (East Jerusalem and the surrounding area) of the West Bank.
This decision runs counter to previous commitments by Israeli authorities, and risks hindering any credible revival of the peace process.
France asks the Israeli authorities to refrain from all unilateral action that prejudges the final status of the Palestinian territories.
Israeli foreign affairs minister Tzipi Livni announced that she had boycotted the two senators visiting Israel because they had met with Hamas. What is your reaction?
Parliamentarians’ programs are defined by the parliamentarians themselves. There is a separation of powers in France, and therefore the legislative branch and members of Parliament have total independence in determining their programs.
We regret that the French members of Parliament were not able to have the program they had envisaged.
We share Tzipi Livni’s feeling that this should not damage Franco-Israeli relations.
Concerning contact with Hamas, you know France’s position.
It surprises me that a country with which we enjoy good relations could boycott French members of Parliament, without it having any effect on bilateral relations. Whether it be Israel or any other country.We regret that the members of Parliament didn’t get the program they wanted, but it does not affect intergovernmental relations between French and Israeli authorities. This doesn’t mean that we’re satisfied with it, or that it leaves us indifferent.
The separation of powers concerning the program of members of Parliament works both ways.
What is your reaction to this morning’s statement by Hamas about a one, or one-and-a-half year truce in exchange for the permanent reopening of crossing points?
The important thing is for there to be ways of resolving the crisis that integrate a lasting cease-fire, the reopening of crossing points, and the fight against arms smuggling.
That Hamas leaders declare themselves favorable to the prospect of a long-term truce can only be seen as positive. But we must see how this declaration fits in with all the various elements that must be put in place for a lasting resolution to the crisis.
Iran said it launched a satellite into orbit. Do you have confirmation of this?It appears that a satellite was indeed launched. This is disturbing because the technology used to launch satellites is very similar to ballistic missile technology.
We are concerned whenever events seem to demonstrate a desire to develop nuclear weapons capability. We can only add our concerns to those already strongly expressed by the international community, including the director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in his last report on the development of Iranian long-range nuclear weapon capabilities. We are concerned by the similarity of the technologies for launching satellites and for launching ballistic missiles.
By launching this satellite, is Iran violating any international laws governing this type of activity?
No. There has been no violation of international law. Nonetheless, I want to emphasize that many Security Council Resolutions apply to Iran, establishing a series of sanctions in connection with the Iranian military program. They also express the concerns of the international community concerning the development of nuclear weapons capabilities. Let me remind you that the sanctions provided by SCR 1737, 1747, and 1803 also relate to Iran’s ballistic programs.
Are you worried that Iran has this technology?Yes. We are concerned, at a time when serious questions are being raised, by the IAEA’s director general, among others, about Iran’s nuclear military capability. We are concerned about the development of capabilities that could be used for ballistic purposes.
Satellite launchers and ballistic missiles use the same technology. In the case of space programs, states must not contribute to the proliferation of ballistic missiles liable to be used as delivery systems for weapons of mass destruction. Space launch programs must not be used to conceal ballistic missile programs.
Yet along with its sensitive nuclear activities, Iran is developing missile programs, which are a source of real and well-founded concern for the international community.