Daily Press Briefing
Statements made by
the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson
(excerpts)
(Paris, January 23, 2006)
[Please note that only the original French text issued by the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs may be considered official.]
KOSOVO
I’d like to read the statement made by Foreign Minister Philippe Douste-Blazy on Saturday, January 21:
“Ibrahim Rugova has just died. I offer my condolences and my feelings of sadness and friendship to his family, loved ones and his people.
“Ibrahim Rugova was not only the great political leader and patriot who will have left a profound mark on the destiny of Kosovo. He was also a man of peace, committed to the values of tolerance, justice and humanism. It was in that spirit that he waged his fight and defended his convictions during his life.
“In the negotiations that have begun today to build Kosovo’s future, it is important that everyone remains true to his legacy.”
I’d like to read the reaction of Foreign Minister Philippe Douste-Blazy on Saturday, January 21, after the results of the Iraqi legislative elections were published:
“On the day after the Iraqi independent electoral commission published the definitive results of the legislative elections on December 15, 2005, I am pleased that the electoral process was taken to its end. In particular, the figures published yesterday confirm the high turnout of Iraqi voters to designate their representatives.
“The establishment of Iraqi institutions must now be continued under the best conditions, especially the formation of a government.
“More than ever, it is important to involve all the political forces that reject violence in the next stages of the transition in order to restore peace and stability in Iraq and guarantee its unity.”
Foreign Minister Philippe Douste-Blazy will go to Bogotá on Thursday, January 26, to meet with President Alvaro Uribe and the highest Colombian authorities.
In the context of this visit he will discuss our bilateral relations and the prospects for a humanitarian agreement between the Colombian government and the FARC.
The minister will repeat that France is available to help Colombia embark on the path to an agreement leading to the release of the hostages, including our compatriot Ingrid Betancourt.
Mr. Douste-Blazy will meet with the hostages’ families and the French community in Colombia.
President Chirac has sent a message of congratulations to Anibal Cavaco Silva on his election as president of Portugal.
Following is the text of a communiqué from Foreign Minister Philippe Douste-Blazy:
“I warmly congratulate Anibal Cavaco Silva on his election as president of the Portuguese Republic. The clear-cut victory of Cavaco Silva, who throughout the campaign defended bold political and economic convictions, sends a strong signal to the whole of Europe of Portugal’s resolve to lift growth.
“Anibal Cavaco Silva, whose determination and talent are known to me, can count on our country, where a sizable Portuguese community lives, to assist him in his mission and to work together for the success of the European project which he has always ardently defended.”
Embassy of France, January 23, 2006