Brazil/ Visit by Bernard Kouchner
Speech by Barack Obama/ Middle East
France/ Iran
Lebanon
Brazil/ Visit by Bernard Kouchner
Bernard Kouchner went to Rio de Janeiro yesterday to take part in the services that paid respect to the victims of the Airbus A-330 disappearance on Monday, June 1.
He took part, in particular, in an ecumenical service in Rio’s Cathedral dedicated to the bereaved. The service was attended by his Brazilian counterpart, Celso Amorim, who was representing President Lula da Silva. Bernard Kouchner then went to the Lycée Français in Rio, the community of which has been particularly affected by this tragedy.
The minister thanked his Brazilian counterpart for all of the efforts undertaken by Brazil and paid tribute to the close collaboration between the two countries during this ordeal.
You know that, following this tragedy, France is working closely with the Brazilian authorities to find the wreckage of the plane and to provide assistance to the families of the victims.
Why is it that there isn’t just one source of common information from France and Brazil? This sometimes leads to disappointment and false hope.
There are continuous exchanges with regard to the search for the plane’s wreckage and the assets deployed to find them. These are stages in a particularly difficult and complex search process which resulted in the belief that the first pieces of the plane had been found. Unfortunately, the teams sent to the maritime area concerned have realized that this was not debris from the plane.
Speech by Barack Obama/ Middle East
Let me remind you that we issued a reaction yesterday after President Obama’s speech at the University of Cairo.
With regard to the Islamic veil, Obama states that he supports the wearing of the Islamic veil in Western countries. France does not take the same position so what is your comment with regard to the president’s remark?
I would like to reiterate that there are many points of convergence between the views of the United States and those of France. This was made even more obvious by President Obama’s speech in Cairo yesterday. I am not taking back our very great satisfaction with regard to this key speech.
With regard to the freedom to choose to wear the veil, we do not feel targeted by these remarks by the American president; they are merely a specific element of a much broader speech.
The secular principles given in the French Constitution guarantee the freedom of conscience and protect the freedom to practice religion. We also respect the freedom of dress. There is an element of the French Constitution, and this is linked to our history, to which we believe neutrality should be applied. This relates to elementary and secondary public education where the wearing of conspicuous, visible signs of religious affiliation is banned. This applies not to just one religion, but to all faiths. Public education is not a public service like others. Attendance in school is not just based simply on tradition. It is the place where a student develops his identity and learns about society. French society is based on values that are protected and founded on the principles of separation of State and Church. In order for students to understand these principles and the values associated with them, schools should provide a neutral environment for students and teachers which prohibits the wearing of obvious religious symbols, not just by those working in public education but by the students themselves.
With regard to the Israeli-Palestinian issue, President Obama kept to general themes. Are you not frustrated that he was not more specific, that he did not unveil a plan, an idea or a process?
Not only are we not disappointed, we are extremely satisfied by the American President’s firm commitment towards peace, particularly in the Middle East.
It was clearly stated that this speech would not be an opportunity to put forward a peace plan between Israel and the Palestinians. It was an occasion to affirm broad guidelines.
You remember that during the European discussion process, that was initiated by Bernard Kouchner during the French presidency, we united the Europeans with regard to the document known as the “Transatlantic Road Map” in which, in particular, we identified the Middle East as one of the major issues about which we said two very simple things: the Europeans have decided to do more and in a coordinated manner, and we would like the new American administration – benefiting in addition from major international support – to take a very active role, from the outset, in order to use all its weight to support peace in the Middle East. What we heard yesterday goes in this direction, in a very positive, assertive, clear and determined way.
My second question relates to Iran. President Obama repeated yesterday in Cairo that he was open to unconditional dialogue with the Iranians. Is that compatible with the Six’s approach, according to which negotiations on nuclear issues are dependent on the Iranians complying with three conditions imposed by AIEA and later by the United Nations Security Council: suspension of sensitive nuclear issues, enrichment activities and clarification with regard to the nuclear program?
This is in no way contradictory to the approach of the “E3+3” since the Americans are participants of the “E3+3.”
The recent meeting of the political leaders, including the American political leader, demonstrated that these approaches are perfectly in line with each other. President Obama stated that it was necessary to hold dialogue with the Iranian authorities. This is what the “E3+3” state and it is also France’s position.
In addition, we have already stated that we were ready for this dialogue to take place quickly since Javier Solana and the Six have proposed a dialogue with Mr. Jalili, the Iranian negotiator.
Lastly, let me point out that the proposals, which have been put on the table within the framework of this dialogue with the Iranian authorities with regard to the nuclear issue, very clearly contain other options which are not preconditions, in particular the principle known as the “freeze to freeze” principle. President Obama said yesterday that it was necessary to hold a dialogue, with no conditions on the dialogue, but one which must lead to compliance with the decisions of the international community, the United Nations Security Council and the AIEA. In this connection, certain media sources are stating that we have a different position to that of the new American administration. We feel perfectly at ease and in tune with the United States with regard to this issue and with many other issues.
There is no denying that France takes a particular position with regard to the Iranian nuclear issue. The recent meeting between the French president and the Iranian Foreign Affairs Minister, Mr. Mottaki, at the same time as when Mr. Obama was arguing for a dialogue with Iran is evidence of this. What was the content of the meeting between Mr.Mottaki and President Sarkozy?
A communiqué was issued by the French President with regard to this. This meeting was significantly disrupted by the statements made by the Iranian president a few hours before the meeting and the French President clearly indicated that these statements were unacceptable precisely at the time he was receiving the Iranian Foreign Affairs Minister.
Again, France waved the threat of sanctions?
France is taking actions within the framework of the “E3+3” and did so first of all within the framework of the E3. The Americans, the Chinese and the Russians have gradually joined this process. Today it is a six-party process in close collaboration with Javier Solana representing the EU. You said that President Obama is advocating dialogue. The French President, together with Bernard Kouchner, received Mr. Mottaki. This is part of the dialogue that we would like to have with Iran.
Central to the electoral debate in Lebanon, there is the notion of sharing power between the Shiites, Sunnis and Christians. All parties are giving the impression that this idea originated during a meeting between Bernard Kouchner and the Iranian leader during a visit by the minister to Iran. Can you confirm this information?
Bernard Kouchner did not go to Iran. He has never made any statement to anyone with regard to the organization of power or institutions in Lebanon. And anyway this would not be the case since, as you know, France is very attached to the independence and sovereignty of Lebanon and believes that only the Lebanese people can decide on their institutions, without and external interference.