Statement by Bernard Kouchner / Death of Senator Ted Kennedy
Lebanon / UNIFIL
Statement by Bernard Kouchner / Death of Senator Ted Kennedy
I was deeply saddened to learn of the death of Ted Kennedy. For all those who aspire to a more just world, a long-vigorous light has gone out. Senator Edward M. Kennedy was a symbol of commitment to the highest human values, health and education.
For more than a half-century, he led an uninterrupted, tenacious battle in the U.S. Senate on behalf of democracy, social justice, civil rights and peace, offering the American nation and the entire world an example of total commitment to freedom.
To his last breath, Edward M. Kennedy magnificently embodied democratic values and the ideal of fairness. For this tireless combat, he deserves our admiration and respect. With his passing, Americans and all the world’s democracies are losing a point of reference and a friend. He was the last representative of a generation that counted a great deal in the history of the world.
France extends to Ted Kennedy’s family, to President Barack Obama, to the State of Massachusetts that he served as senator, to the Senate and to the American people its heartfelt condolences and joins them in their sorrow.
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As France drafted the text of the Security Council decision to renew UNIFIL’s mandate in southern Lebanon, what are the points of disagreement this draft is encountering? Which countries oppose it and why? Do you think the text (or vote) can be postponed? Does it have to be adopted unanimously?
On August 20, the Security Council held consultations on renewing UNIFIL’s mandate.
Since then, we have been working in a very constructive atmosphere with all the Council members on developing a draft resolution on renewal before August 31, the date the current mandate expires.
The work is quite advanced and should conclude in the next couple of days./.