Daily Press Briefing

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

(Paris, November 27, 2006)

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


EURO-MEDITERRANEAN PARTNERSHIP

Foreign Minister Philippe Douste-Blazy will take part in the 8th conference of Euro-Mediterranean Partnership foreign ministers in Tampere, Finland, on November 27 and 28.

The conference will open with a working dinner on Monday evening given over to regional political questions. The following day there will be a plenary session on the three segments of the partnership: political, economic and cultural and human.

At the meeting ministers will discuss the follow-up of the Barcelona summit in November 2005, specifically the actions taken in various areas: economic sectors, industrial and financial, migrations, environment, dialogue between cultures and civilizations, and the promotion of the role of women in society. They will consider a draft statement and program of work for 2007 to develop new initiatives, particularly in higher education, employment, health, tourism, promoting investment, migrations and intercultural dialogue.

SOMALIA/FRANCE

Ismail Mohamed Hurre, Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Republic of Somalia, will be in Paris on November 27 and 28. He will have a meeting tomorrow, Tuesday, November 28, With Brigitte Girardin, Minister Delegate for Cooperation, Development and Francophony.

Mr. Hurre is a member of the transitional government established in 2004 after a Somali negotiation process conducted in Nairobi under IGAD auspices.

MIDDLE EAST

Q - According to the Israeli press, France and Israel are studying the possibility of replacing Israeli reconnaissance flights over Lebanon by French flights. Can you confirm this report? And if so, could you give us more details?

We are continuing to study ways of monitoring compliance with resolution 1701, specifically with regard to the arms embargo. It is premature to enter into details of the various elements that might aid in this objective.

Q - Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said Monday that Israel was prepared to withdraw from many areas in exchange for peace with the Palestinians. What’s your reaction?

We welcome all initiatives towards a political solution in the Middle East. As we’ve said many times over, such a solution requires agreement between the parties above all.

In addition we support the implementation of the truce announced Saturday evening between Israel and the Palestinian Authority.

Q - Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said Monday he was prepared to release many Palestinians and free up frozen Palestinian funds in exchange for the release of the Israeli soldier, Gilad Shalit, who has been held by armed groups since June 25. According to your information, is an agreement imminent in this affair which concerns a French-Israeli national?

We’ve no comment on these negotiations. Foreign Minister Philippe Douste-Blazy has requested Corporal Shalit’s release of several times and has met with his family in Israel.

CHAD

Q - The Chadian government for the first time accused Saudi Arabia on Sunday of training and equipping the rebels to promote the military Islamism preached by Al Qaeda. What credence to you give to these accusations?

I don’t wish to comment on these statements.

Q - The French Embassy warned yesterday about fighting in the outskirts of N’djamena in the next 24 hours then issued a new communiqué saying the situation was “normal” again. In the mean time the Chadian government had categorically denied the statement. Was there pressure on the French Embassy from the local authorities? What happened?

Our embassy in N’djamena regularly issues messages--as is its role--to the French community in Chad about security measures that should be observed. Obviously, it’s not its place to comment on the military situation on the ground.

France for its part recalls its condemnation of the attempts to seize power by force. It firmly condemns this new attempt to destabilize the legitimate authorities.

These new rebel attacks show again the seriousness of the situation and the urgency for an international presence to be deployed on the border between Chad and Darfur. This deployment would naturally be backed up by reinforced security in the refugee camps.

The mission to secure the border is part of the French proposals that the minister discussed during this recent trip to Cairo and Sudan.

(…)

AFGHANISTAN

Q - Can you confirm that France is preparing to step up its role in the context of NATO operations in Afghanistan, specifically by taking part in operations outsides Kabul?

As you know, NATO has a security and stabilization operation in Afghanistan in support of the Afghan authorities. The allies are determined and standing firm in carrying out their mission in Afghanistan. France is taking its full part in this effort.

Afghanistan is expected to be one of the main items addressed at the Riga summit.

With regard to the conditions of engagement of French troops in Afghanistan, I refer you to the Office of the President and the Defense Ministry./.

Embassy of France, November 27, 2006