Gabon
North Korea
France / Iraq
Kuwait / Iraq
Lebanon / Elections
Gabon
With regard to the death of Omar Bongo Ondimba, let me remind you that communiqués were issued by the French President, the Prime Minister and Bernard Kouchner, Minister of Foreign and European Affairs.
Many key figures reacted to this death, in particular the Secretary General of the United Nations, by recalling President Bongo’s qualities and the role he played in Africa.
What is your understanding of the situation in a country where there is a French military presence and where around twelve thousand French citizens live?
We hope that an acting Head of State is appointed within the existing constitutional and democratic framework.
Will the French President or Bernard Kouchner go to President Bongo’s funeral?
France will obviously be represented at a high level, but a date has not yet been set for President Bongo’s funeral.
Do you have any information on President Bongo’s funeral? Can you tell us how many French nationals live in Gabon?
With regard to the number of French nationals, there are approximately ten thousand.
With regard to the date and details of the funeral and services, that is for President Bongo’s family to decide.
Gabon has always presented itself as a democracy in Africa. Despite that, President Bongo awarded himself a “presidency for life.” Do you have an opinion with regard to that? Do you have an opinion with regard to a future presidency with a limited term of office?
I just reminded you that we would like the acting Head of State to be appointed within the existing constitutional and democratic framework. Obviously we hope that Gabon will follow a democratic path.
Does the fact that the Gabonese Defense Minister decided to close the land, air and sea borders worry you? How do you interpret this gesture?
That is the Gabonese authorities’ decision. Our embassy is monitoring changes in the situation and is keeping our citizens on the ground informed.
With regard to French interests in Gabon, aren’t you afraid that France will be unwittingly dragged into a war over who will take power?
In this respect, things are clear: there is no reason for France to take part in this interim phase; the Gabonese people alone must decide on this.
There are ties between France and Gabon, there are ties between Africa and France, there are ties between Gabon and the rest of the world and that is why there have been many statements issued by leaders all over the world following the death of President Bongo.
However, the Gabonese people are responsible for the process that is now taking place and the only thing we would like to say is that we hope that this interim phase is managed within the constitutional and democratic framework.
North Korea again issued statements this morning about its nuclear program. What is your reaction with regard to this issue? Has any progress been made in the discussions at the UN? New sanctions?
This is the umpteenth provocation from the North Korean regime. We are not surprised, even if we absolutely should not get used to this. Work at the United Nations is ongoing. Very real progress has been made with regard to the preparation of a Security Council resolution.
The more provocations there are, the easier it is to achieve a consensus on the resolution. That does not mean that we encourage the North Korean regime to increase the number of provocative statements, but that is the reality.
Do you know when the resolution will be finalized?
No but we are very hopeful that it will be quite soon. Consultations are progressing well. We are getting closer to a resolution that will make it clear to North Korea that the path it has chosen, particularly in the last few weeks, is not acceptable.
How much bargaining power does the United Nations have with regard to North Korea, which is already very isolated and subject to a system of sanctions?
There is bargaining power in particular with regard to the type and scope of the sanctions. There is also bargaining power linked to pressure from the international community. The fact that China is now using all its influence to convince North Korea that its attitude is not appropriate is a positive thing.
Can you tell us about the circumstances that led to the decision to open two French schools in Iraqi Kurdistan? How many French schools are there in Iraq?
I am not sure I can immediately answer your second question, which is somewhat technical.
We maintain relations with the Iraqi authorities that allow us to reestablish strong cooperation between France and Iraq. There have been, as you know, alternating visits, at the highest French level in Iraq and at the highest Iraqi level in France. This, together with the preparatory work carried out by Bernard Kouchner through his two initial visits, including the first one back in August 2007, allows us to strengthen our cooperation efforts, including, though not at all limited to, those in Iraqi Kurdistan. This is part of a broader strategy to strengthen our partnership with Iraq throughout its territory.
This is very important because if there were no other French schools in Iraq outside of Kurdistan, then it would be of political significance.
We are in the process of strengthening relations with the whole of Iraq, without making any distinctions in terms of community or geography. The schools in the Iraqi Kurdistan are part of a much broader effort.
Do the disputes between Kuwait and Iraq concern you? Have they postponed border discussions? Is that a source of tension in the region? Do you believe that Kuwait’s claim for war damages is still on the agenda? Was that not settled through the issue relating to debts?
The more the international community, including Iraq and its neighbors, succeeds in fully integrating Iraq into regional and international dynamics the better. We hope that Iraq’s disputes with its neighbors can be settled through mutual consultation. We need to avoid tensions between Iraq and its neighbors. The process must aim to completely and fully return the sovereignty of Iraq to the Iraqis and result in a regional dynamic that will allow Iraq to exist in peace and harmony with its neighbors.
France has a defense treaty with Kuwait and that is why I am asking this question. Do you remember that this border issue was the cause of the Iraqi invasion in 1991?
The current context is not at all comparable to the one you mention.
In the recent exchanges with the Kuwaiti delegation which visited the permanent member countries of the Security Council was there any question of repealing the resolutions passed under Chapter VII in 1990?
You know that resolution 1859 brought an end to the foreign military presence in Iraq, within the framework of Security Council resolutions, provides for a review of the resolutions that have been adopted since 1990. This is therefore an ongoing process.
According to official French sources, France is against the system where a one-third minority can block a decision?
Quotes in the newspapers from so-called “official” sources do not in any way reflect France’s position. The truth is that these alleged sources are in no way “official.” They do not represent France. We would like the Lebanese people to agree on the best political system that will allow continued progress on this path towards democracy, the vitality of which was reflected by the elections. We do not have any other position.
You refute the information that appeared in today’s press?
We cannot be clearer. It is not up to us to make a judgment with regard to this issue. France has only one position and this is that the Lebanese president and the Lebanese political actors must agree on the process that they believe is most likely to lead to progress on the path towards democracy in Lebanon, the vitality of which was reflected by the elections.