Meeting with Butaflika: Chirac: Unilateral change of Palestinian borders of grave, regrettable consequences
Algeria-France, Politics, 4/16/2004

The French President Jacque Chirac yesterday considered in Algeria that any change of borders between the Israelis and the Palestinians unilaterally will constitute "unprecedented and regrettable event" in a direct answer to the promise given by the American president George W. Bush to Israel on Wednesday.

The French President expressed his hope that the Arab leaders will be able to convene a summit as soon as possible in order to pave the way for the international community to contribute to discussing the solution of the Middle east crisis. He added "the next G-8 will discuss the situation in the Middle east and we do hope that the European side will take a constructive position, built on a united Arab position."

Chirac who paid a quick visit to Algeria during which he had met with the Algerian President Abdul Aziz Butaflika, in a joint press conference with the Algerian President said that " the solution in Iraq should be only of a political nature.." he added that this solution "passes through a rapid and complete and clear transfer of authority to the Iraqis themselves and through the establishment of legal and responsible Iraqi establishment that have an actual representation."

He continued that "any option which does not take into account the desire expressed by the Iraqi people to restore back full independence as soon as possible will have grave consequences on the stability of Iraq and the region.." He added that "France finds more than any other time before that a conference including all components of the society may allow giving necessary legitimacy to political transfer waiting for the elections." He expressed his confidence in the "judgment" of the UN special envoy in Iraq al-Akhdar al-Ibraheimi, noting that he is waiting for the report he will submit to the UN Security Council.

The French President considered that any change for the borders between the Israeli and the Palestinians, unilaterally will be "a grave and unprecedented event." He said that "playing, according to conditions or persons, in the international stability and the rules of the international law is a regrettable and unprecedented event," adding that "the matter is grave," and that "as for the border, I consider that it is very necessary to honor the international law. I am conservative on re-considering the international law being from one side or two sides." He indicated " Only the sides concerned can altogether, according to a plan they set together, reach an agreement that makes them abide by and reach an actual peace." He said " I am afraid we are not now on that path."

Previous Stories:
  French President to visit Algeria   (4/14/2004)
  Butaflika meets Chirac: I do not support death penalty for Saddam   (12/20/2003)
  France hails upcoming release of Moroccan POWs in Tindouf   (11/8/2003)

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