Daily Press Briefing
Statements made by
the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson
(excerpts)
(Paris, October 4, 2006)
[Please note that only the original French text issued by the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs may be considered official.]
UNITAID
Foreign Minister Philippe Douste-Blazy will go to Geneva, where WHO has its headquarters, on October 9 for the installation of the UNITAID board of governors. He will represent France on it.
The board will be composed of representatives of the five founding countries (Brazil, Chile, France, Great Britain and Norway), a representative from the African continent and a representative from the Asian continent together with two members of civil society and a WHO representative. This division will ensure that UNITAID resources are managed transparently and efficiently, in close coordination with the partner organizations. WHO will host the secretariat and UNITAID fiduciary fund.
The first board meeting will elect the chairman and launch UNITAID’s first actions for 2006.
The UNITAID International Drug Purchase Facility was officially established in New York on September 19 on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly by President Jacques Chirac, his Brazilian counterpart Luis Ignacio Lula Da Silva, and Congolese counterpart Denis Sassou Nguesso. Also present were UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, Norwegian Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg, Chilean Foreign Minister Alejandro Foxley Riosesco, British Under-Secretary for International Development Gareth Thomas and former US President Bill Clinton who heads the Clinton Foundation.
The board meeting will be followed by a press briefing.
Q - What’s your position in view of the Djibouti government’s refusal to respond favorably to arrest warrants issued by the French judicial authorities?
Naturally, I won’t comment on a legal procedure. Several procedures are under way in France. I would remind you also that the Djibouti authorities have had recourse to the International Court of Justice whose competence we have accepted in this matter.
Traditionally, we have close and sustained relations with Djibouti. President Guelleh visited Paris in March 2005. Prime Minster de Villepin went to Djibouti on February 27, 2006.
We maintain regular dialogue with Djibouti and cooperate closely on development. We would like to further increase the effectiveness of our partnership to adapt and modernize our cooperation with this country.
Q - The British are reportedly working on a draft resolution on sanctions against Iran. Is France conferring with the UK on this draft? Do you envision sanctions after Teheran reportedly today declined to suspend enrichment?
As you know, we’ve maintained close cooperation on this question with the Six from the outset. Consultations are continuing at the political directors’ level in order to assess the consequences of the contacts that Mr. Solana had with Mr. Larijani. Our position is in the framework of resolution 1696, adopted on July 31, in which the Security Council expressed its resolve to take measures under Article 14 of the Charter if Iran failed to comply with the requirements entailed in this resolution, particularly the suspension of uranium enrichment.
Consultations are now taking place for the purpose of discussing the next steps while preserving the unity of the international community.
Q - Can you confirm there’s to be a meeting of the Six on Iran at the weekend as mentioned by the US?
Q - Can you confirm a meeting of the Six on Iran will be held in Paris? If not, which capital?
Contacts are continuing between the capitals. I am not in a position to confirm that such a meeting will be held.
Q - Does France support imposing progressive sanctions on Iran now?
If Iran doesn’t comply with the requirements under resolution 1696, as I’ve just said, the Six will consider the consequences. The measures that could be taken under SCR 1696 should be progressive, proportionate and reversible.
Q - The Turkish Foreign Ministry has criticized the French position on the Armenian genocide. (…) What is your reaction?
President Chirac, speaking in Yerevan, expressed his conviction, as he had done at the time the decision was made to open membership negotiations with Turkey in December 2004, that the European project from the beginning was an undertaking to bring about reconciliation, peace, respect and openness to others. It’s an effort that has meant at all times and in all places a labor of remembrance which Turkey must accept today.
The president also recalled his commitment to seeing the perspective of Turkey’s membership in the European Union remain open so that Turkey might share the values of Europe and a same conception of human rights, peace and democracy./.
Embassy of France, October 4, 2006