Paris, May 2, 2012

Excerpts from the daily press briefing by Romain Nadal, French Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ deputy spokesman (Paris, 2 May 2012)

Mali - Violence in Bamako

France is extremely concerned about the armed clashes in Bamako, yesterday and today, which resulted in many casualties.

It calls for an end to the violence and for the resumption of the process to restore constitutional order.

Only the restoration of civil peace will allow the recently-appointed transitional government to cope with the demands of the situation.

France reaffirms its confidence in the ECOWAS mediation and its wholehearted support for Interim President Mr. Dioncounda Traoré and Prime Minister Cheick Modibo Diarra.

India – Ferry disaster off the coast of Assam

We were extremely saddened to learn of the ferry disaster off the coast of the state of Assam in India on Monday which, according to the latest information, has apparently left more than 100 people dead and as many people missing.

In the face of this tragedy, France extends its condolences to the bereaved. It shares the pain of the Indian people and government and assures them of its wholehearted solidarity in this ordeal.

Mexico – Murder of a journalist (April 28, 2012)

France utterly condemns the murder in Mexico on April 28 of the journalist Regina Martinez. It demands that full light be shed on this heinous crime and that those responsible be identified and brought to trial.

It calls on the authorities of all countries in which journalists face insecurity, to take all necessary measures to guarantee the freedom of the press.

France reaffirms its fundamental commitment to the freedom of the press and its solidarity with the Mexican journalists who play an essential role in the dissemination of free and pluralistic information.

OSCE - Serbian elections in Kosovo

France welcomes the completion of negotiations between Serbia, Kosovo and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) to enable Serbian voters in Kosovo with dual nationality to take part in the [Serbian] general and presidential elections of May 6 and 20 with the OSCE’s support.

France thanks the OSCE for the major efforts which the Secretary General, Mr. Lamberto Zannier, his teams and the organization’s Irish presidency have made in recent weeks to reach a compromise.

France encourages all the parties involved to ensure that these elections – which are being held at very short notice – run smoothly.

We call on the Serbian and Kosovo authorities to show the utmost restraint in their statements and actions.

Construction of 1,100 hotel rooms in the settlement of Givat Hamatos in East Jerusalem

France condemns the plans to build 1,100 hotel rooms in East Jerusalem in the settlement of Givat Hamatos and calls on the Israeli government to reconsider these plans.

In October, we already condemned the unacceptable decision to create this new settlement which constitutes on the ground a further threat to the territorial continuity of a future Palestinian State.

France reaffirms that settlement activity, both in the West Bank and in East Jerusalem, is illegal under international law.

The relentless pursuit of settlement activity in East Jerusalem is all the more deplorable because it increasingly undermines the prospect of making Jerusalem the capital of the two States, which is critical for any peace agreement.

Such plans appear to be a provocation and are not likely to establish the climate of trust necessary for the resumption of negotiations.

Iran – 5+1 meeting

Is there anything new with respect to the Iranian issue and the preparations for the next 5+1 meeting with Iran ?

We are preparing, together with our partners, for the next “E3+3” meeting with Iran in Baghdad.

We’re approaching this meeting with the determination to engage in real discussions with Iran in order to ensure that this country responds to the international community’s concerns regarding the nature of its program and fully respects its international obligations.

We expect Iran to make concrete gestures to establish trust, in accordance with the UN Security Council and IAEA resolutions.