Russia/ Boat sinking
India/ Train derailments
DRC/ Plane crash
Libya
Syria
We were extremely saddened and shocked to learn of the sinking of a cruise ship yesterday in Russia, which claimed the lives of at least 100 people.
We extend our sincere condolences to the bereaved and express our support for and solidarity with the Russian authorities in light of these tragic circumstances.
We were extremely shocked to learn of the two train derailments that took place in India yesterday – one in Uttar Pradesh and the other in Assam. Initial reports indicate that several dozen people have died and almost 200 have been injured.
We extend our sympathy to the bereaved.
In these particularly tragic circumstances, France would like to express its solidarity with the Indian people and authorities.
We were extremely shocked to learn of the plane crash that took place on Friday in Kisangani in north-east DRC. The toll has risen to 74 dead and several dozen injured.
In these tragic circumstances, France expresses its profound sadness and extends its sympathy to the bereaved as well as to the Congolese authorities.
What’s France’s exact position regarding the raids in Libya? Do you confirm, as Gérard Longuet has stated, that the NATO raids will stop once a genuine political dialogue has been established between the Libyan parties, even if Muammar Qaddafi remains in the country with a different title?
Alain Juppé voiced his opinion on this topic in an interview with the daily newspaper “Sud Ouest” published today:
“We didn’t declare war on Libya but avoided a massacre. Let’s not forget the inaction on the part of the UN in Rwanda and Srebrenica. If we had done nothing then the scenario would have been repeated, since Qaddafi’s intention was clear: to take revenge on the population of Benghazi. We were therefore right to go there and the intervention has a great deal of international support. It’s confined to air operations to protect the civilians. On the ground, it’s the National Transitional Council’s troops that are fighting and are currently making gains.”
Asked about a political solution to the crisis, the Ministre d’Etat responded:
“We’re working on it. And we’re making progress. The NTC has strengthened its legitimacy, Turkey has just recognized it and everyone now accepts the notion that Qaddafi must leave.
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Even if they don’t say it openly, most African countries have realized that Qaddafi should leave power. The question is not whether he must leave, it’s when and how.
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In Libya itself, provided that he abandons all political action? Outside with guarantees? I don’t have the answer, but the African Union is working on it. Its mediation might be helpful and we hope that the UA will participate in the Contact Group meeting in Istanbul on July 15.”
Do you confirm the comments made by Seif al-Islam that France is conducting negotiations with the Qaddafi regime?
Seif al-Islam el-Qaddafi claims in an Algerian newspaper that direct negotiations have been initiated between his father’s regime and France. Do you confirm that?
France supports a political solution as it has always stated. There are no direct negotiations between France and the Qaddafi regime, but we are conveying messages to it, in conjunction with the NTC and our allies.
These messages are simple and unambiguous: any political solution requires Qaddafi’s removal from power and his renunciation of any political role.
Is France considering other measures in response to what happened this weekend outside your diplomatic and consular representations in Damascus and Aleppo? Are there plans to recall your ambassador in Damascus for consultations (or any other action)?
The Syrian ambassador has been summoned to the Quai d’Orsay this evening by the Cabinet Director of the Ministre d’Etat, Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, with two objectives:
- firstly, to strongly protest against the demonstrations that took place yesterday in Damascus in front of our embassy and in Aleppo in front of our consulate which were marked by acts that insulted the symbols of the French Republic: French flags were burned and a great deal of damage caused (projectiles thrown into the compound, vehicles destroyed) while the Syrian police and security forces did not make the slightest effort to prevent these unspeakable acts which were in complete violation of the obligations of the Syrian Arab Republic under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.
We hold the Syrian authorities responsible for the safety of our staff and diplomatic missions.
- secondly, we were astonished to learn that the Syrian foreign ministry had summoned the Ambassador of France in Damascus to express to him its objections to the fact that he had traveled to Hama without prior authorization.
The Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations stipulates that the heads of diplomatic missions shall have complete freedom of movement in their countries of accreditation.
It is within this framework that our ambassador travels across Syria as the Syrian ambassador also does in France. It’s pointless accusing the French ambassador of having ulterior motives; he is fully exercising his functions.
The summoning of the Syrian ambassador provides an opportunity to reiterate in the most solemn way possible that what has taken place in Syria in recent months is unacceptable.
It’s not acceptable for a government to unleash weapons against its population.
It’s not acceptable for a government to ignore the appeals of its people for reforms.
It’s not acceptable for the international community not to mobilize its efforts to ensure that these appeals are heard, to protect the civilian population, as well as for the sake of peace and security in the region.