PRESIDENT JACQUES CHIRAC – I do not perceive
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
It is our belief that security can only be assured by peace. It is therefore urgent to deal with the conflict.
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
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
QUESTION – Prime Minister SHARON used to have a bad image in Europe and in
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.
QUESTION – Antisemitism in Europe, and particularly in
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.
Israeli criticism of antisemitism in Europe singles out
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,
To attack a Jew –I have said it before- is to attack the whole of
QUESTION – The Jewish community in
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
QUESTION – Do you think there is a linkage between the way
THE PRESIDENT – People of Muslim descent across Europe react to events in the
However the French government has taken measures after consultations with religious and civil leaders of the Jewish community in
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 -
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
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.
QUESTION – The war in
PRESIDENT CHIRAC – The international community made the unanimous choice, through Resolution 1441, to eliminate weapons of mass destruction in
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
QUESTION – How do you justify French nuclear aid to
PRESIDENT CHIRAC – Let me remind you that many countries maintained regular relations with
It is also important to remember that
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.