Daily Press Briefing

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

(Paris, November 9, 2006)

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


VISIT BY MONSIGNOR SABBAH

Foreign Minister Philippe Douste-Blazy received His Beatitude Monsignor Michel Sabbah, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, this morning.

The minister expressed keen sympathy for the tragic situation the Palestinian people had experienced in the last few days, especially in Gaza, and reminded him that France had condemned Israel artillery fire in inhabited areas, which is contrary to international humanitarian law.

The status of the City of Jerusalem and the joint declaration, adopted at the initiative of Monsignor Michel Sabbah and the other Christian patriarchs and church leaders to promote a special status for the City of Jerusalem, were also discussed.

The minister said that France and the European Union continued to be very vigilant about the situation prevailing in Jerusalem. For France, the status of Jerusalem will have to be negotiated between the parties and cannot be imposed.

With regard to the security barrier, the minister recalled that while recognizing Israel’s right to defend itself against terrorism we consider its path should conform to international law and should not encroach on Palestinian territories nor prejudge a final settlement.

The deterioration of the humanitarian situation in the Palestinian Territories, a subject of deep concern, was also discussed. The minister said that the European Union had increased its aid to the Palestinian Territories in 2006, through the temporary international mechanism in particular. France make a substantial contribution to the fund.

FRANCE/EGYPT/SUDAN

Foreign Minister Philippe Douste-Blazy will be visiting Egypt and Sudan on November 11, 12 and 13.

The visit comes in the context of action by France, in conjunction with its partners in the international community, to speed up a settlement of the Darfur crisis. As he has said many times, this is a priority issue for Mr. Philippe Douste-Blazy. It was Darfur he went to on his first trip to Africa in the summer of 2005.

In Cairo the minister will meet on November 11 with Foreign Minister Abul Gheit of the Arab Republic of Egypt. He will be received in the morning of November 12 by President Mubarak. He is also due to have talks with Arab League Secretary-General Amr Moussa.

In Khartoum the minister will meet with President Bashir and have talks with other Sudanese political leaders, including his counterpart Lam Akol.

On Monday, November 13, Mr. Philippe Douste-Blazy will go to Darfur to meet with the various international actors (African Union, United Nations, NGOs) and ask about the situation of the displaced on the spot.

The meetings the minister has during his trip to Egypt and Sudan will afford an opportunity for detailed exchanges of views on the situation in Darfur and in the neighboring countries, and on the means of deploying a robust international force to provide security for civilians and strengthen implementation of the most inclusive political agreement possible. In Cairo the situation in the Middle East will also be addressed.

The minister discussed Darfur yesterday, November 8, with UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan and US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.

LES BELLES ETRANGERES

“Les Belles Etrangères,” organized by the National Book Center (CNL) in cooperation with the Ministry for Culture and Communication and our embassy cultural services, this years showcases contemporary literature from New Zealand. For the 2006 event, 12 authors from New Zealand will be guests in France from November 14 to 25.

Founded in 1987 the event helps the French public discover contemporary literature from foreign countries. Every year a group of authors from a given country or linguistic area are invited. A program of meetings and public readings is organized throughout France in partnership with bookshops, libraries, universities and cultural associations. A book, and a film, edited and produced at the initiative of the CNL, accompany the event.

Romania was featured in 2005, Russia in 2004, Algeria in 2003 and India in 2002.

www.belles-etrangeres.culture.fr

UNITED STATES

Q - Do you have any comment on Donald Rumsfeld's departure? Will this departure and the change in the parliamentary majority have an impact on French-American relations? Do you expect a change in course in Iraq and is France ready to help?

Mr. Rumsfeld’s resignation is an internal matter in the US which it’s not my place to comment on as such. The same goes for the results of the elections you mentioned.

It is too soon to assess the consequences of these elections on the handling of international issues, including Iraq. We are engaged in continual dialogue with the United States on these questions.

ISRAEL/FRANCE

Q - The Israeli Ambassador in Paris, Daniel Shek, has been summoned to the Quai d'Orsay. Could you give us more details about the meeting between the minister and Mr Shek?

This morning, Foreign Minister Philippe Douste-Blazy summoned Israel's ambassador to inform him of our serious concern at the continuation of Israeli over-flying of Lebanese territory.

He drew attention to the fact that there was very nearly a serious incident on October 31 when Israeli planes dived over the French UNIFIL battalion.

Mr. Douste-Blazy stressed that it is essential for the Israeli authorities to put a stop to such acts.

Q - Can you report to us on the summoning of Israel's ambassador to the Quai d'Orsay? Will the recent incidents with the Israeli air force risk prompting a revision of UNIFIL's missions, rules of engagement or manpower?

As regards the first point, I refer you to my previous answer.

As for the second point, a modification of UNIFIL's rules of engagement isn't on the agenda, given that the UNIFIL troop-contributing countries constantly assess these with the United Nations Department of Peacekeeping Operations.

(…)

PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES

Q - Despite the urgent calls by many countries, including France, Israel is continuing to attack targets in civilian areas in Palestine. In this situation, does France consider that this issue should be brought before the Security Council, as the Arab countries are requesting?

We are going to take part in the public debate taking place today at the Security Council, at which our permanent representative will make a speech, reiterating the official French public statements of the past few days. We are calling for full light to be shed on the tragic events in Beit Hanoun.

As for the draft resolution presented by Qatar, we're going to look at it closely and suggest amendments. It seems to us legitimate for the United Nations Security Council to give a view on such events"./.

Embassy of France, November 9, 2006