Daily Press Briefing

Statements made by
the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson
(excerpts)

(Paris, January 5, 2006)

[Please note that only the original French text issued by the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs may be considered official.]


IRAK

France condemns in the strongest terms the horrific attack which claimed the lives of dozens of people today close to a holy place in the city of Kerbala. It offers its sincerest condolences to the families of the victims of this new tragedy and to the Iraqi authorities.

After this attack and those that occurred yesterday, France reiterates its profound concern. It emphasizes once again the urgency of breaking with the cycle of violence, which is taking a heavy toll on the Iraqi civilian population. At this major stage in the political transition in Iraq, it emphasizes the need to mobilize the energies of all to ensure a successful transition and restore stability to the country.

FRANCO-MOROCCAN CIVIL FORUM

Q - Ms Girardin met at 11 a.m. with the leaders of the Franco-Moroccan Civil Forum. What was the meeting about? Were any specific directions given?

Ms Girard met this morning with Jean Roatta, a legislator and French chairman of the joint steering committee of the Franco-Moroccan Civil Forum, along with the five French leaders of the committee’s workshops in order to prepare for the Forum in Skhirat on January 27 and 28.

The discussions dealt mainly with the work of local authorities and non-governmental organizations in the areas of:

-economic development and job training;

-local synergies in social development;

-regioanl development;

-strategies and infrastructure in urban planning and development;

-education and training.

Let me just remind you that the Franco-Moroccan Civil Forum, founded at the initiative of the two heads of government in June 2004, aims to expand Franco-Moroccan cooperation to all actors in civil society.

IRAN

Q - The trial of a Frenchman and a German starts in Iran today at 1:30 p.m. French time. Could you tell us: one, how the Frenchman will be defended and whether diplomats have been sent to Bandar Abbas? Two, what are the charges against him and whether they’re different to those against the German? And three, whether the Frenchman’s family has asked to go to Bandar Abbas.

I confirm the appearance this afternoon of a French national and a German national before a court in Bandar Abbas. Our compatriot’s attorney has been summoned by the judge and is on the spot. Our embassy has also sent a consular official to Bandar Abbas.

So far as we know, the sole charge is the illegal entry into Iranian territory.

Again, so far as we know, the Frenchman’s family is not there.

Q - What’s your reaction to Iran’s decision to continue its nuclear research? What effect will it have on the negotiations with the EU3?

I would like to remind you of what we said yesterday. We firmly call on Iran to retract the announcement about resuming certain research and development activities which, if carried out, would clearly be contrary to the demands of the IAEA board of governors and would place in serious doubt the continuation of the discussions begun in Vienna with the EU3/EU on December 21.

ISRAEL

Q - How do you assess the situation in the Middle East with Ariel Sharon hospitalized?

I’ve nothing to add to the statements made by the president and foreign minister this morning.

SYRIA

Q - Syria announced yesterday that its foreign minister could be interviewed by the international commission of inquiry. Does that meet your expectations?

I would remind you of the terms of the report, given by the Elysée spokesman, of the meeting that took place yesterday between President Chirac and the president of the Arab Republic of Egypt: “The president of the Republic recalled France’s determination that the United Nations commission should fully discharge its mission and emphasized in this regard that Syria must respond to its demands.”

As you know, Security Council resolutions 1595, 1636 and 1644 clearly state the powers of the international commission of inquiry and the obligations of member states, Syria in particular.

This is the context in which the action of the commission and member states has to take place and, as the head of state said, Syria must respond to the demands made.

Embassy of France, January 5, 2006