Sudan
Egypt
Guinea
Rwanda
Yemen
Sudan
France expresses its grave concern given the increased violence in southern Sudan and reaffirms that peace and stability constitute essential conditions for the holding of general elections in April 2010 and the referendum on self-determination in 2011.
I want to remind you that France contributes to international efforts to help restore stability in southern Sudan: we have provided funding to the Permanent Court of Arbitration for the Abyei dispute. France also provided funding of €1 million, through the United Nations Development Program’s fund aimed at ending the crisis, to support the 2010 elections.
Egypt
What is your reaction concerning the violence perpetrated against the Copt minority in Egypt? Is this topic addressed in your frequent exchanges with the Egyptian authorities?
What happened to the Coptic community in Egypt is a serious matter. There were casualties: six Copts and an Egyptian police officer were killed.
France condemns these murders and we expect those responsible for these heinous acts to be brought to justice. We trust the Egyptian authorities to maintain public order and, in addition, to ensure the safety of this Coptic minority and to guarantee their freedom of worship.
Following Mr. Konaté’s opening address and the developments that have since taken place, how do you see the sequence of events in this country?
I would like to draw your attention to the fact that Bernard Kouchner will be in Ouagadougou this evening and tomorrow. In view of the mediation efforts that President Campaoré has been pursuing for some time now regarding many issues in the region, the minister will almost certainly discuss the situation in Guinea with him.
Concerning General Konaté’s address, we believe that it was a responsible and courageous speech that contrasts sharply with all of the events that have taken place recently in this country in the sense that this speech seems to be forward-looking. We welcome his speech. […]
France would like to see a consensual transition that would make it possible to organize the elections in a spirit of calm and within an inclusive political context. It is within this framework and with this in mind that we are calling for constructive dialogue with the “Forces Vives” in order to organize the elections according to the terms approved by everyone, in particular the “Forces Vives.”
We are on the same page as our American partners concerning this issue; the Americans voiced their opinion on this very topic yesterday.
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Was the creation of a “Genocide and Crimes against Humanity” unit within the Paris District Court mentioned during Bernard Kouchner’s meetings with his counterparts in Rwanda and Congo? Does he have any feedback on this matter?
The goal of this trip was to cement the resumption of relations between France and Rwanda. The mechanisms of our bilateral relations will start up again: the reopening of the embassy, commencement of our ambassador’s mission, and the resumption of political dialogue and our cooperation measures.
When we announced the resumption of diplomatic relations, the minister stated that there is no link with the judicial treatment of these cases. What the governments are doing is one thing and what the courts are doing is another. On the other hand, the statement published in Le Monde which was signed by Bernard Kouchner and Michèle Alliot-Marie represents an important development. It confirms France’s willingness to play its full role in dealing with the war crimes. This unit supports the enforcement of the EU Council’s framework decision of May 8, 2003. It was time for France to establish a decision-making body such as this. The creation of this unit also falls within the framework of the transposition into French law of the Rome Statute establishing the International Criminal Court which we have ratified.
Will France take part in the conference on Yemen planned for January 27 in London? What type of assistance will France provide to Yemen? Development assistance? Assistance for training the army? Supply of arms?
We have taken note of this proposal by the British Prime Minister. We are ready to discuss it with our British and European partners.
Our cooperation with Yemen is directed at university level training and governance. We welcome Yemeni students and send French experts to Yemen. We train administrative staff and help strengthen administrative capacities and improve the management of public services and institutions. Lastly, we have introduced a Priority Solidarity Fundto support democratic governance (decentralization, legal system, Audit Office).