FAO/ Election of Luc Guyau
€2 million in food aid for the Horn of Africa
Iran/ Nuclear
Gilad Shalit
Guinea
Côte d'Ivoire
FAO/ Election of Luc Guyau
Luc Guyau, President of the Permanent Assembly of the Chambers of Agriculture (APCA) and Vice-President of the Economic, Social and Environmental Council, a candidate put forward by France, was elected Independent Chairperson of the Council of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) during the second round of elections on Sunday, November 22.
The Minister of Foreign and European Affairs wishes Luc Guyau success and assures him of his support in the fulfillment of his mandate for the organization.
The involvement of the Independent Chairperson of the Council will be critical to continuing the FAO reform process as well as with regard to implementing the Global Partnership for Agriculture and Food Security.
This election takes place a few days after the statement adopted at the World Summit on Food Security, making it possible to implement the Global Partnership for Agriculture and Food Security proposed France in June 2008. France remains fully mobilized in the fight against global hunger.
€2 million in food aid for the Horn of Africa
Given the deteriorating food security situation in the Horn of Africa, the Minister of Foreign and European Affairs is mobilizing €2 million in food aid.
The Horn of Africa is facing a food crisis unlike anything seen in the last several years. Food insecurity in this region has increased sharply as result of a combination of exacerbating factors: armed conflict, drought, poor harvests, an increase in the price of foodstuffs, livestock disease, trade restrictions, maritime piracy and the global financial crisis. More than 20 million people are now facing a serious food emergency.
In response, the Minister of Foreign and European Affairs has decided to contribute €2 million in food aid to Kenya, Somalia and Ethiopia. This contribution will be implemented through the international humanitarian organizations on the ground: the Kenyan Red Cross, the NGO SADO (Social Life and Agriculture Development Organization) in Somalia and the World Food Program in Ethiopia.
On Sunday Iran called for “guarantees” regarding the supply of fuel by Russia and France. What does the draft agreement submitted to Tehran make provision for regarding possible supply guarantees? Would France be prepared to provide additional guarantees? If yes, what guarantees?
The draft agreement proposed by Mr. ElBaradei on October 21 already took this Iranian concern into account, with the Agency having agreed to provide its own guarantees during the entire manufacturing process of the Tehran research reactor (TRR) fuel up to its final delivery.
We reaffirm that Iran, through its Foreign Affairs Minister Mr. Mottaki, clearly rejected this draft agreement on November 18, by refusing to export the quantity of low-enriched uranium necessary for the production of the fuel.
The draft agreement put forward by IAEA did however meet Iran’s requirements for the production of radioisotopes for medical purposes, and constituted a useful confidence-building measure. We should remember that the draft agreement had been approved by France, the United States and Russia as early as October 23.
Iran’s refusal to use its low-enriched uranium for civilian purposes at its research reactor can only increase our doubts regarding the nature of the enrichment program that Iran is pursuing, in violation of the five UN Security Council resolutions.
Are you aware of any progress in the efforts, notably by Germany, to achieve the release of the Israeli-French soldier Gilad Shalit, as stated by President Simon Peres when he returned from a visit to Cairo?
As you know, France has continuously called for the immediate release of Gilad Shalit and invited all parties to take actions to facilitate this.
The French authorities have never lost hope or spared any effort to achieve his release, as Bernard Kouchner reaffirmed on France 3 yesterday evening.
What is France’s reaction to the Guinean opposition’s rejection of the proposals by Blaise Compaoré who is recommending that Moussa Dadis Camara remain in power during a 10-month transition period meant to lead to a presidential election?
The facilitator for the process to end the crisis in Guinea, Blaise Compaoré, announced his inter-Guinean draft political agreement on November 20.
This draft was rejected by the “Forces Vives” who nevertheless reaffirmed their confidence in the facilitator to continue his mission.
France reaffirms the urgent need to find a solution to end the crisis that will be accepted by all parties. This solution requires the implementation of a transition process in preparation for organizing the elections. Guinea needs a legitimate, elected government in order to rebuild the country.
In addition, light must be shed on the massacre of September 28 through the international commission of inquiry established on the initiative of the UN Secretary-General.
Electoral rolls are beginning to be published in Côte d'Ivoire. Does France believe this is enough to reassure the international community that the presidential elections in Côte d'Ivoire will be held as quickly as possible?
The provisional electoral roll began to be published on Sunday. The publishing of this electoral roll throughout the country represents an important stage in the electoral process which we welcome.
We are calling for a spirit of responsibility in this new stage in the electoral process so that it can take place under peaceful conditions and in strict compliance with the planned procedures. It should allow the elections to take place in a situation of calm and on the basis of an electoral roll approved by everyone.
We invite the Côte d'Ivoire authorities to swiftly announce the new date of the election.