Libyan National Transitional Council
Situation in Syria/ France’s actions
Peace process in the Middle East
Libyan National Transitional Council/ Statement issued by Alain Juppé, Ministre d’Etat, Minister of Foreign and European Affairs
France, which has regarded the Libyan National Transitional Council since its creation as its legitimate political interlocutor, intends to continue lending it its full support in order to build a united, free and democratic Libya.
Having committed the most serious crimes against the Libyan people, in violation of international law, the authorities under Colonel Qaddafi cannot claim any role in representing the Libyan State.
The National Transitional Council is the only repository of governmental authority in France’s relations with the Libyan State and the entities under it.
So the new thing for you with respect to the Libyan National Transitional Council is that the NTC is the only legitimate interlocutor. In that case how is the mediation, whether it’s Russian or Chinese, going to work?
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Regarding the Russian mediation efforts, I had the opportunity to say that we were in contact with our Russian partners regarding all issues, including Libya.
Regarding our Russian colleagues’ current efforts, we commend the determination of the Russian Federation to actively participate in resolving the Libyan crisis. These efforts fall within the follow-up to the G8 Summit in Deauville; the G8 members affirmed their commitment to supporting a political transition that reflects the will of the Libyan people.
We reaffirm our attachment to achieving a political settlement of the crisis, the only long-term solution that will allow the Libyan people to freely express their legitimate demands and to choose their future leaders.
Regarding the French position, we are still acting within the framework of the implementation of UNSCR 1973 and we remain faithfully attached to fully respecting this resolution.
We’ve repeatedly stated that Qaddafi must leave and that hasn’t changed.
The important thing for us is the opportunity for the Libyans to decide on their own future, to do so in security, to do so as part of a democracy, with everything that goes with that, i.e. the freedom of expression, the freedom of opinion, the freedom of the political parties, etc. to be able to demonstrate, which hasn’t been possible in this country for too long now and which hasn’t been possible recently due to the persecution inflicted by Qaddafi’s regime on its own population.
I don’t have information about the Chinese mediation efforts.
Amnesty International has pointed out what could amount to war crimes committed by the rebels against the Qaddafi elements. Do you have any response to that?
The International Commission of Inquiry, established by the Human Rights Council following its 15th Special Session of February 15 to investigate all allegations of human rights violations committed in Libya, released its report on June 1, 2011.
France commends the exceptional work conducted by this International Commission of Inquiry which was able to go to Libya where it met with representatives of Qaddafi’s regime in Tripoli and representatives of the National Transitional Council (NTC), members of civil society, medical personnel in 10 different hospitals, prisoners, internally displaced persons and refugees.
The report confirms the extreme seriousness of the violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms committed by Qaddafi’s regime. It denounces the indiscriminate attacks against civilians, the use of heavy weapons in urban areas, the practice of torture, the arbitrary arrests and detentions, and enforced disappearances.
France also noted the International Commission of Inquiry’s concerns regarding possible human rights violations committed by the opposition forces, notably against the immigrant populations in Libya. In this respect, we reaffirm our attachment to the respect of human rights by all parties. We regularly convey this message to the members of the NTC, whose determination to apply the fundamental principles of human rights was clearly specified in its constitutional charter.
France fully supports the recommendations set out by the commission of inquiry. It would like the Human Rights Council to draw all of the conclusions from the report at the debate on June 6 on the human rights situation in Libya.
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Situation in Syria/ France’s actions
1. At the UN Security Council:
I want to reaffirm the statements issued by the Ministre d’Etat at the Brookings Institution in Washington.
In any event, given the continued crackdown in Syria, which is exacting an increasingly heavy human toll, the international community must convey a message to the authorities in Damascus. It would be incomprehensible for the Security Council to remain silent on this issue.
France and its partners have prepared a draft resolution on Syria. This is a political text which condemns the crackdown and the human rights violations and urges the authorities to take the aspirations of the Syrian people into account.
France is more determined than ever to ensure that the Security Council takes a position. We’re going ahead and everyone will assume their responsibilities.
2. Regarding the continued violence:
We’re extremely concerned by press reports relating to the situation in Jisr al-Shughour where extremely violent clashes between the armed forces and the populations have apparently taken place.
The use of violence cannot continue. We condemn the violence perpetrated against the civilian populations who must be protected. We again urge the authorities to end the crackdown which is fuelling the violence, to put an end to the impunity afforded to the security forces and to immediately implement the reforms expected by the people.
Only the path of dialogue and genuine reform can end the deadlock situation in which Syria now finds itself.
3. Regarding the situation of human rights defenders:
Among the thousands of people arrested since the start of the demonstrations, the fate of a dozen human rights defenders currently being detained is prompting specific concerns regarding their well-being. These detainees are the victims of enforced disappearances, and are being subjected to torture and other abuses.
In this respect, we’re very closely monitoring the situation of more than a dozen people, including, notably, Wael Hamadeh, Abdel Rahman Hamadeh and Anas al-Chaghri.
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Peace process in the Middle East
During the Ministre d’Etat’s visit to Washington, the issue of the second Palestinian Donors’ Conference was addressed. It would seem that the Americans aren’t opposed to it but that they would be prepared to accept it in the timeframe proposed by France. What’s your response?
Regarding this issue, we note that the Palestinians have given their agreement, that the Israelis are examining our proposal and that yesterday in Washington the Ministre d’Etat obtained a nihil obstat from the Americans. Washington requested that our teams work closely together and we support this. We’re also consulting with the other members of the Quartet as well as its representative, Mr. Blair, who voiced his opinion this morning on this issue.
We’re consulting with our European partners and the Arab League. Our feeling today – and Alain Juppé said this yesterday in Washington – is that our initiative is generating real hope; we will therefore continue our efforts because we believe that the status quo is intolerable and dangerous for everyone.
There are two options - either we resign ourselves to the inevitability of failure, inaction, or we mobilize in support of this action. And you won’t be surprised to know that France chose this second option.
We’ve in fact chosen an approach that focuses on action and mobilization based on the same principles that we reaffirm to everyone, based on the convergence of views that we noted in President Obama’s recent speech and, lastly, based on close collaboration with our American partners as well as with the members of the Quartet.
It’s never too late to give peace a chance; it’s never too late to give the negotiations a chance to resume.
Our objective remains to do everything to avoid a difficult situation in September which would not be in anyone’s interest.
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