Sudan / Chad / Niger / Zimbabwe / France / Daily briefing (June 23, 2008)

PARIS, France, June 23, 2008/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Daily briefing of the foreign ministry of France (June 23, 2008) :

SUDAN/CHAD

 

Has France undertaken contacts with Sudan and Chad in order to launch

its peace initiative between the two countries and the rebel parties?

What form will this initiative take?

 

France is having contacts with the authorities of Sudan and Chad. As you know, Bernard Kouchner received his Sudanese counterpart, Deng Alor, on Tuesday, and assured him that France would do everything it could to contribute with other countries to facilitating the dialogue between Sudan and Chad.

 

I would also like to recall that the Dakar agreement offers a negotiating framework between these two countries and that a dialogue is being held under the auspices of the African Union, represented by Salim Salim, and the United Nations in the person of Jan Eliasson. We are waiting for the appointment of a single negotiator, which is in process.

 

NIGER/HOSTAGES

 

Have you been able to make contact with the abductors of the four French executives working for the AREVA nuclear group in Niger who were kidnapped on Sunday?

 

Discretion is called for in matters like this, but I can tell you we are fully mobilized to obtain the release of the four French citizens employed by Areva as quickly as possible.

 

 

ZIMBABWE

 

Does France consider, like the UK, that President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe has ceased to be legitimate now that the opposition has announced it is withdrawing from the presidential race?

 

France respects Morgan Tsvangirai’s decision not to stand in the second round of the presidential election in Zimbabwe. We hold the Zimbabwean authorities responsible for this withdrawal due to a deliberate climate of violence preventing the people of Zimbabwe from expressing their views at the ballot box. France condemns the campaign of violence and sheer brutality President Mugabe’s regime has perpetrated against Mr Tsvangirai and his supporters as the Slovenian

presidency of the European Union did yesterday.

Absent Mr. Tsvangirai, the election on June 27 does not meet international expectations for a free, fair, open and transparent poll.

As the Slovenian presidency of the European Union said, we wish to consult the African Union and SADC (Southern African Development Community).

As regards France, President Sarkozy has said we are ready ?with our European Union partners to take all necessary measures against those responsible for this election farce./.?

 

 

SOURCE : France – Ministry of Foreign Affairs