LOC17:29
14:29 GMT
PARIS, Dec 14 (KUNA) -- The French government on Tuesday gave a strong
message of support for the "determination" of the United States to pursue
peace efforts in the Middle East, specifically between Israelis and
Palestinians.
"France welcomes the speech made by (US Secretary-of-State) Hilary Clinton
in Washington on December 10," French Foreign Ministry spokesman Bernard
Valero said at a briefing.
"We note with satisfaction the determination of the American Administration
to pursue its important and numerous efforts on the Middle East peace process
file, despite the obstacles encountered," he said.
Valero said that "in the absence of peace the only winners are the
extremists and the only victims are the populations of the region."
While the French official admitted in answer to KUNA questions that "there
is nothing new" in the statement today, he did emphasize that it was important
to set out the ground-rules for future efforts and to draw up the framework
and context for moving forward.
He also said in his answers that France was "showing its mobilization"
through support for the US and through "its dialogue with the parties."
"We naturally lend our full support to the pursuit of the American efforts.
It is important that the international community, notably the European Union,
are associated with these," the official said.
The US efforts to broker direct talks between Palestinians and Israelis
faltered because of Israels outright refusal to stop or even extend a freeze
on illegal settlement building in occupied Arab lands like the West Bank, and
also in East Jerusalem, which is to be the new Palestinian capital and whose
status is not to be changed until a final status accord is signed.
France reiterated the EU position adopted Monday and which calls for a
negotiated settlement, more coordination with the Quartet, which has been
conspicuously absent from the scene, and remarked positively on the progress
by the Palestinians and the institution-building in territories they control.
Additionally, France recalled that the EU statement calls for affirming
Israels right to security and the right of the Palestinians to have their own
State. These rights cannot be called into question, despite a tendency by some
to do so on the international scene, Valero pointed out.
The EU statement, Valero indicated, also recognizes the steps taken by
Israel to ease some of the blockade on Gaza and also points out the
willingness of the European Union to help rebuild and develop Gaza. (End)
jk.ajs
KUNA 141729 Dec 10NNNN