Jospin's statements contradict French policy in ME
Egypt-France, Politics, 2/28/2000

Foreign Minister Amr Moussa said statements made by French Prime Minister Jospin, where he described Hizbullah operations in South Lebanon as acts of terrorism, contradicted the French policy in the Middle East.

"We highly appreciate the French diplomatic policy vis-a-vis the ME," said Moussa, adding that the French objective stances were always an important element that protected the ME from negative aspects.

"Jospin's statements do not go in line with the French policy, which is highly accepted in the area," Moussa said, adding he hopes that the French diplomacy would not change stances and that Jospin's statements would not be an indication of a change in the positive French attitude.

On his views regarding Israel's statements yesterday on 'compensations' to Palestinian side, Moussa said the Israeli talks could have been accepted if Israel had any credibility.

"The Palestinians have full right not to believe the Israeli talk which they consider absurd. If Israel intends to do something, it is time to do it. No one believes Israel any more," said Moussa. "Israel's talk just disappears into thin air and is nothing but part of the absurdity which caused the Palestinians frustration," concluded Moussa.

In the same vein, Egypt's Ambassador to France Ali Maher, also doyen of the Arab diplomatic corps in France, said he has formally asked the French Foreign Ministry, at the request of other Arab ambassadors, for the text of Jospin's statements which jarred with France's declared policy.

Speaking to the Middle East News Agency (MENA), Maher said he received assurances from French officials that there was no change in French policy. Maher added that he received assurances that the French government remained committed to its pledges, including the application of the 1996 April Understanding agreement on the protection of civilians in the war between Hizbullah and Israeli troops in south Lebanon.

"It is important that France should seek to live up to its good image in keeping with its positive role in the Middle East and not change its stances or adopt ones identical with Israel's," Maher said.

Previous Stories:
  Jospin tries to justify his statements   (2/26/2000)
  Syria asks for reasons behind Jospin 's statement   (2/26/2000)
  Lebanon protests French premier's statement describing Lebanese resistance as terrorism   (2/26/2000)
  Peace cannot be turned into a trade deal   (1/19/2000)

Please add a link on your webiste pointing to ArabicNews.com and bookmark ArabicNews.com & subscribe to our daily email news bulletin.

Search