Daily Press Briefing
Statements made by
the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Deputy Spokesperson
(excerpts)
(Paris, April 14, 2006)
[Please note that only the original French text issued by the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs may be considered official.]
INTERNATIONAL DRUG PURCHASE FACILITY
Foreign Minister Philippe Douste-Blazy will fly to Geneva on April 21 for the first meeting of the pilot group on solidarity contributions for development in regard to the proposed international drug purchase facility for (IDPF).
Just a reminder, the pilot group involves 43 countries and was set up after the Paris conference on innovative financing for development (February 28 to March 1, 2006).
(…)
The aim of IDPF, which will use the resources of the solidarity contribution on airlines tickets, is to lower the cost of drugs for HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria, and improve the availability of these drugs. This loose structure, which will rely on existing international organizations, will give people in the developing countries access to quality treatments at affordable prices.
The new electronic passport will be issued by embassies and consulates to French citizens living outside France in the same conditions as in prefectures and sub-prefectures in France. (…)
The first electronic passports will be produced by the Imprimerie Nationale for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs starting May 2, 2006, using computer transmitted digital data.
Q - You say electronic and not biometric. What’s the difference?
The first passports at this stage will be electronic passports with a certain amount of integrated data. The biometric passports will come later and will have not only a photo and fingerprint but other biometric details which will be included in the future passport.
(…)
Q - In France’s view, what are the reason for the instability? We know they’re more or less chronic in Chad. But what are the roots of the present instability? I’m thinking in particular of Darfur and the refugee problems.
I’m not going to go into detail about the situation which is sensitive at this time. Simply, as you said, we note that the situation in Chad is important in terms of stability for this part of the African continent. The events taking place at this time are not totally unconnected to what is happening in the region, which explains the increased vigilance on the part of all the French authorities.
(…)
We have a long tradition of cooperation and working together with Chad. That explains the high number of French nationals and in addition there are dual nationals, people with Chadian and French nationality.
As to your question about the Epervier plan, the Ministry doesn’t comment on defense or any other agreements we may have with a number of countries. The Epervier mechanism has been activated in the interests of our nationals and certain other nationalities who are also present in Chad. Aside from the French, there are a number of Europeans, quite a lot of Germans and Belgians in Chad.
Q - One very diplomatic point: Can the African Union ask France for testimony or expertise in the context of its security council? (…) Can you technically testify before the African Union?
I don’t know the institutions of the African Union well enough to answer your highly technical question. What I can say is that the African Union is obviously involved in the consultations with the parties I just mentioned. So we have this dialogue with the African Union and are working with it.
Q - Does France agree with the text of the Security Council resolution? Are you going to take part in the general debate on the situation in Palestine on Monday?
We already underlined at the beginning of the week the violence that has been occurring in Gaza and the West Bank. We issued a statement on April 10. As regards the negotiations in the Security Council, we endorsed the draft presidential statement which was in reaction to the escalating violence in Gaza. The text seemed balanced to us. The Security Council unfortunately was unable to reach agreement because, as I’ve said, a presidential statement needs unanimity in the Council.
(…)
As there was no presidential statement since there was no unanimity, it is likely that the sponsors of the statement want to get back to the task and propose a new discussion. We’ll see. In any case, we’ll take part in the discussions, as we have always done. The question is a matter of concern to us and interests us.
Q - Has humanitarian and health aid to the Palestinians been stopped or frozen, or not?
There’s been no further development on this since the general affairs/external relations council on Monday. As you know, the general affairs council decided to suspend direct aid to the Palestinian government and is having parallel discussions in order to identify channels whereby not only our humanitarian aid but also aid for education and health can be continued.
Q - It’s still under study?
We’re working on it with the staff of the European Union council, with our partners in the EU and the Commission. It’s a question that’s not evident.
Q - Does France favor Chapter 7 which authorizes the use of force?
As you know, in the presidential statement of March 29, the Security Council made a number of clear, simple demands addressed to Iran. In Berlin ministers reaffirmed their unity of views on the goals. Mr. ElBaradei’s report is to be sent to the Security Council and IAEA Board before April 28. The Security Council will then evaluate the situation and decide what line to take depending whether or not Iran complies with the international demands.
As President Chirac said, our objective is to find a diplomatic solution to this question within the framework of the multilateral system.
Faced with the concerns caused by Tehran’s failure to comply with international demands, it will be more necessary than ever to reaffirm the international community’s determination.
Q - For France, as a Security Council member, does it see chapter 7 as a way to increase legitimacy, to give more weight to the measures--Ms Rice’s point of view--or on the contrary as the start of a dangerous spiral and something that will get out of control, it’s somewhat a question of interpretation?
France will make a decision with its Security Council partners in light of the report that will be presented at the end of the month.
Q - Do you have any comment on NATO’s activism in the Maghreb in the light of the latest meetings in Rabat between the 26 or 27 members, plus the seven southern Mediterranean countries?
I’ve no particular comment. There will be a NATO ministerial meeting at the end of the month on April 27 and 28 in Sofia at which there will be a discussion about the organization’s perimeter of action. As you know, discussions have been going on a long time in NATO, since the fall of the Berlin Wall and since enlargement, about how to reorganize its activities. We’re taking part in this debate, and the ministerial meeting, which will itself be preparing for the summit of heads of state and government in Riga, will be when the various positions, including our own, are announced. We’ll know a little more in a few days.
Q - At this time, you’ve not taken a position?
We have positions. We have a vision, but I’ve no comment today on the particular point you raised./.
Embassy of France, April 17, 2006