Visite du Président de l'Etat d'Israël. ( page 2/2 )

PRESIDENT JACQUES CHIRAC – I do not perceive France's image as negative. Our countries have strong ties; we are bound by history, by the heart and by people. France has played a major role in helping the young state of Israel assure its existence. Hundreds of thousands of your compatriots are of French descent or culture. The French-speaking community in Israel and the large Jewish community in France sustain an exceptionally rich relationship between our two countries. France is the European country that Israelis visit the most. The State visit by President KATSAV will be a new opportunity to celebrate the friendship between our two countries and to confirm the strong, intense bonds between our peoples.

We should be wary of clichés and appearances. Our relationship is dense and cannot be reduced to the differences we might have on certain aspects of the regional situation. Some voices in your country claim that France "does not like Israel". That is wrong. We are one of Israel's oldest friends. For us, liking Israel means wanting your country to live in peace and security within uncontested borders and to be fully accepted and integrated into the region. That is a point on which we will never compromise.

It is our belief that security can only be assured by peace. It is therefore urgent to deal with the conflict. France believes that there is no other way to do this than through negotiation based on the key principles recognised by international law.

The strong links between French and Israeli people are palpable. We enjoy close cultural, human, economic and scientific ties. We have substantially consolidated these ties over the past 18 months, through mutual effort and determination. Ambitious projects have been launched in all areas, from political dialogue to inter-university cooperation. I will discuss these in depth with President KATSAV.

I would like to add that France has always felt close to Israel. Close in heritage, culture, thought and values. It is also for this reason that France has high expectations of your country. We understand why Israel places the security of its citizens at the forefront of its concerns. No one in France is oblivious to the unacceptable terrorist attacks that have taken such a heavy toll on your people. France, and I repeat this with force, will always be by Israel's side whenever fanaticism, hate and violence attempt to challenge the legitimacy of its existence.

QUESTION – What are your personal relations with Ariel SHARON ?

PRESIDENT CHIRAC – I have met many Israeli leaders during my time in politics. Behind the individual personality of each of your politicians, I have always found strength of conviction and an absolute commitment to the future of Israel. Ariel SHARON is a man of that calibre. I know of his interest in France. I would like us to have more regular contact.

QUESTION – Prime Minister SHARON used to have a bad image in Europe and in France. How did you find him as a human being ?

THE PRESIDENT – It is not for me to pass judgement on foreign leaders. Most important is what they do. As for Prime Minister SHARON, I have followed his actions for many years now. I must admit that he has always been consistent in what he has done. Israel is a democracy. Mr SHARON is the Prime Minister of a democratically-elected government in a democracy. I cannot pass judgement. My deep-held belief is that when faced with confrontation, one must strive for dialogue. That is the only comment I shall make.

QUESTION – Antisemitism in Europe, and particularly in France, worries many of us. What are its causes and what is your reaction to it ?

PRESIDENT CHIRAC – Let us look reality in the face. Over the past three years in Europe –but not only in Europe- there has been a resurgence of antisemitic acts, often accompanied by an increase in antisemitic language. This is revolting and unacceptable. France works relentlessly to combat the scourge of antisemitism.

Israeli criticism of antisemitism in Europe singles out France. I am surprised at this. I am told that in the streets of Tel Aviv, in newspaper cartoons and in conversations, the image of France as an antisemitic country is gradually spreading. These caricatures deeply hurt all French people. No, France is not an antisemitic country.

But we must remain highly vigilant. With the government, we lead a tireless struggle against antisemitic language and acts, lest they become commonplace. The results of our action are plain to see: official figures –the only reliable ones- indicate a significant decrease in acts of this nature. Inadmissible incidents still occur, such as recently at a concert. The culprits were arrested and face prosecution. The trend is declining, thanks to strong mobilisation, first and foremost by the public authorities.

You ask me about my reaction. As I have said on many occasions, France is proud of its Jewish community, which is the second largest in the world after the United States. The Jewish community, which attests to the long history of Judaism in France; the Jewish community, to which my country owes so much, in so many fields.

To attack a Jew –I have said it before- is to attack the whole of France. France does not accept antisemitism; it combats it. But nor does France accept accusations that damage its honour. And, naturally, I do not accept such accusations when they are levelled at me personally. Those who work with me know of the relations of deep affection that bind me to the Jewish community in France, and of my determination, from the start of my first term in office, to acknowledge the inexpiable wrongs of the Vichy regime and to promote reparation.

QUESTION – The Jewish community in France is worried about its future. Do you have any message to the Jewish community here and both in Israel ? Do you think they can live here in security ?

THE PRESIDENT – I will, of course, say that they are and that the comments you are reporting come from ill-informed individuals or people with bad intentions. Ask each of the civil and religious leaders of the Jewish community in France, they will tell you they are safe and that they have a future here, and also that the Jewish community that has been in France for the last 2000 years will still be here in 2000 years’ time.

QUESTION – Do you think there is a linkage between the way Israel is dealing with the Palestinian problem and the raise of antisemitism in Europe and in France ?

THE PRESIDENT – People of Muslim descent across Europe react to events in the Middle East, and more specifically to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. It is a fact. Thus a feeling of humiliation may have lead an acting minority, in my view a small minority, to commit antisemitic acts. This is a cause for concern for us which forces us to be more aware of what is happening and to use all possible means to fight effectively against the spread of antisemitic acts, and of xenophobic acts more generally.

However the French government has taken measures after consultations with religious and civil leaders of the Jewish community in France, which is the second largest community outside Israel after the US. I feel these measures are effective and the situation is under control. I expect representatives of the Jewish community in France would give you the same answer.

QUESTION – Many people that I spoke with told me that this President did more than any other French President against antisemitism ?

THE PRESIDENT – It is very kind of you to say so. Indeed opposition to any kind of racist, xenophobic or antisemitic feelings is a deep-held belief of mine. Such feelings fully contradict all that I believe in, my values and my commitments. For as long as I am in a position to do so, I am determined to be at the forefront of the fight against any form of racism, antisemitism and xenophobia.

QUESTION – For what reasons did Camp David 2000 fail ?

PRESIDENT CHIRAC - Camp David was a courageous attempt by President CLINTON, Yehud BARAK and Yasser ARAFAT to reach a solution. The negotiations were long and complex, with phases of hope followed by discouragement. It is impossible to make an assessment and apportion responsibility. It is too early to judge the Camp David Summit on the basis of accounts of the participants, which diverge so widely. We must leave that task to historians who will have the benefit of the broader picture. Camp David was nevertheless a milestone because major advances were achieved by the negotiations, including on issues that had never been addressed before, such as Jerusalem. The subsequent meeting in Taba outlined a possible settlement, but time was too short to take it further.

What I do deplore, however, is the huge step backwards that the current situation represents, three and a half years after the summit.

It is towards the future that we must now turn our gaze. The only fair and -most importantly- lasting solution is that of two States living side by side in peace and security. The way to achieve this is by implementing the Road Map, accepted by all. The Israeli and Palestinian authorities must resume dialogue in this spirit and work together to realise their peoples' profound aspiration to peace and security. The desire for peace must overcome in the end.

QUESTION - Yasser ARAFAT : a problem or part of the solution?

PRESIDENT CHIRAC - President ARAFAT is the elected and legitimate president of the Palestinians. That is a fact and will remain so until there are new elections in Palestine.

The restrictions imposed on him are not conducive to peace. His situation is perceived as a humiliation by Palestinians and Arabs in general, even those who do not support him.

Everyone is aware that President ARAFAT has undoubtedly made mistakes. But he remains a rallying figure for Palestinians, particularly as a counterweight to radical groups. He is also the only person capable of getting his people to accept the compromises that peace will require. We must accept that reality. Because we can only make genuine peace with our adversaries.

Why not say to President ARAFAT "exercise your responsibility fully as President; re-establish your authority; honour your commitments; take action against terrorists and create the conditions for a negotiation that will bind all Palestinians"? If these things are to be asked of him, he must be given the freedom to move and act.

France, with the European Union, maintains contact with Mr ARAFAT because he is the elected representative of the Palestinians. We nevertheless send him clear, demanding messages, notably on the issue of security and terrorism, and on the need to give the prime minister Abu Ala (Mr Ahmed Qurei) the means to accomplish his task.

QUESTION – The war in Iraq: who was right?

PRESIDENT CHIRAC – The international community made the unanimous choice, through Resolution 1441, to eliminate weapons of mass destruction in Iraq through an inspection mechanism. We considered that the process had to be followed through to completion and that a military operation was not necessary to disarm Iraq as long as the inspections were producing results. It was imperative to take this logic to its conclusion before considering the use of force. Throughout this period, we indicated our preparedness for armed intervention in the event that the inspections failed and on condition that the Security Council adopt a decision to that effect. Another logic prevailed.

What is the situation now ? We can see plainly that while it was possible to win the war quickly, it is much more difficult to win the peace. The crisis in Iraq highlights the necessity for unity in the international community, because only collective engagement can give the necessary legitimacy to the transition process in Iraq. We welcomed the agreement signed in Baghdad between the Interim Governing Council and the Coalition on 15 November 2003, because it provides for the restoration of full sovereignty to Iraq on 30 June 2004. This must not be delayed. We also support the action of the Secretary-General of the United Nations, who has just sent a mission to Baghdad to foster the emergence of an agreement between Iraqis on the conditions for political transition.

QUESTION – How do you justify French nuclear aid to Iraq in the past?

PRESIDENT CHIRAC – Let me remind you that many countries maintained regular relations with Iraq until 1990. This was true of the United States, other European Union Member States and the former Soviet Union.

It is also important to remember that Iraq in 1975 was very different from Iraq in 2003. It was a secular Arab country, opening up to modernity. At the time, France was involved in civilian nuclear cooperation. The missions conducted after the first Gulf War showed that the Iraqi programme dismantled by the United Nations inspections was developed using other technologies that had clear military applications. Lastly, I stress that nuclear weapons were the only area in which the international community had near certainty that the Iraqi programmes had been eliminated through inspections.

QUESTION – Do you agree with the assumption that the world is safer now after the arrest of Saddam HUSSEIN ?

THE PRESIDENT – The fact that Saddam HUSSEIN is now longer in power is undoubtedly progress and we must welcome it. Yet falling from power is one thing. The events that lead to his fall are another. I hope these events will not cause more inconvenience, more difficulties, more disasters.

QUESTION – Middle East : what is your vision for the future of the region ? What has happened to France's foreign policy and influence in the region ? What remains of the pro-Arab policy defended by successive French governments ? Can we speak of collapse ?

PRESIDENT CHIRAC – The term "collapse" is quite inappropriate. France's policy in the Middle East is based on several simple objectives: peace, stability and observance of international law. These objectives apply to each country. As you know, the region is complex and there are many difficulties: constant stalling of the peace process, including the Syrian-Lebanese component; persistent uncertainty in Iraq; the complicated situation both internally and externally in Iran; and, more generally, the terrorist threat everywhere and economic problems in a great many countries, as highlighted by recent reports on development in the Arab world.

To address these problems and their implications, France, alongside its partners in the European Union, is constantly developing initiatives to seek the most suitable solutions:

- on the peace process, unfailing support for the Quartet's Road Map, proposals for an international conference and an international force in the field; support for the Geneva Initiative, constant contact with the main protagonists.

- in Iraq also, permanent dialogue with the main actors, the Interim Governing Council, the United States, within the framework of the United Nations, proposal for an international conference on Iraq after the transfer of sovereignty, commitment to reducing Iraq's debt burden.

- in Syria, urging moderation and restraint, repeated messages addressed to Hizbollah in particular, dialogue with President ASSAD to support the domestic changes so essential to his country.

- in Iran, determined action with the United Kingdom and Germany to convince the Iranians to comply with international law on nuclear proliferation. This action, which I note has been welcomed by the Israeli authorities, has achieved decisive progress even if further efforts are still needed.

I could add other examples to this list. With all the countries in the region, France, often with the support of the European Union, talks, cooperates, makes proposals and endeavours to convince. One cannot seriously speak of collapse. I firmly believe that it is through the unity of the international community and the coordination of all our efforts that we will be able, step by step, to move forward on the path to solutions.

QUESTION – What is your opinion of the separation barrier ? What comment do you have to make on the Israeli prime minister's announcement of a policy to withdraw from the occupied territories ?

PRESIDENT CHIRAC – It is not for us to dictate to Israel the decisions it takes to assure its security. This is obviously a central issue in your country, which is so hard hit by terrorism. Israel believes a barrier can be technically efficient; however, it must also be legally acceptable. The current route of the barrier does not comply with international law. That is what France and all Europeans reaffirmed when they voted a resolution of the United Nations General Assembly to that effect last October.

Israel is entitled to exercise its right to legitimate self-defence and security. But the chosen route for the barrier, which diverges from the Green Line, dispossesses thousands of Palestinians of their land and makes daily life even harder for a people who already suffer so much. My feeling is that the construction of a barrier along this route will trigger more frustration and anger and compromise the two-State solution around which there is international consensus.

The Israeli prime minister has announced his intention to evacuate the settlements in Gaza. The concrete implementation of this project would naturally represent a very positive first step towards the application of the Road Map. But Israel will also have to honour its commitments to dismantle illegal outposts and put an end to settlement on the West Bank. We also urge the Palestinians to act in accordance with the Road Map, firstly with regard to groups that practise terrorism. Positive developments on both sides can restart a negotiated process. I want to remain confident that the path to peace in your region through negotiation can be found again. France, with the European Union, will continue to work towards that goal.