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[ English Section ] [ Feedback ] French Foreign Ministry clarification on talks with the TalibanPRESS RELEASE MEETING AT THE FRENCH MINISTRY FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS ON 5 OCTOBER 2000 A delegation from the Collective of associations "Freedom in Afghanistan" has met Mr Girard, Director of Asia and Pacific Dpt, on 5 October 2000 at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs. He was asked to deliver explanations on France's policy vis-à-vis the taliban regime in Afghanistan. Visit of Taliban delegation The Ministry for Foreign Affairs still thinks that France must accept to dialogue with the Taliban, in order to try and modify their position with regard to human rights and women's rights in particular. The French Government repeated its concerns on these subjects to the taliban delegation on visit to Paris on 13th September 2000. However, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs refused the Taliban the right to have a permanent representation in France, reiterated firmly its opposition to recognise the Taliban regime and specified that the position of France would rather tend to recognise the legal government. The Ministry for Foreign Affairs did not deny the implication of « foreign military troops » carried out in the fights against the United Front (UF), and admitted the importance of Pakistan's influence on the Taliban militia and the need to continue the dialogue with the Pakistani Government. Search for a peaceful solution The Ministry for Foreign Affairs continues to support ex-king Zaher Shah's peace initiative, by means of a Loya Jirga or Grand Assembly, which would aim to set up a broad-based representative transition government. The delegation pointed out to Mr Girard, that, as long as Pakistan was involved in the internal affairs of Afghanistan, by manipulating the parties and the factions in exile and inside Afghanistan, no positive result could be obtained in this field. The delegation stated its opinion according to which only Pakistan has the power to bring the Taliban to the table of negotiations to discuss a peace process, which they have always refused until now, as they continue to give priority to the military option. The Ministry for Foreign Affairs informed of its satisfaction to learn that Commander Masud had expressed, in a more precise way, his favourable opinion to the process of the Loya Jirga. While admitting that France has commercial links with Pakistan, Mr Girard denied the fact that the interests of the French oil companies would be the cause of the maintenance of the dialogue with the Taliban. He described as untrue the articles published lately on this subject in the international press. Mr Girard also expressed reserves about the results obtained by the 6+2 group, and expressed the wish that the Rome process could progress more quickly towards the setting up of a Loya Jirga. Humanitarian situation We mentioned the dramatic situation of the civil population in Northern Afghanistan: - Panjshir valley: 65 000 refugees being added to the population of the valley already lacking resources - Takhar province: 250 000 persons roaming in the mountains, while the winter snows have already started to fall. The Ministry took due note of these facts, and promised to study the possibility of an urgent humanitarian aid. The delegation of the Collective Freedom in Afghanistan thanked Mr Girard for the long discussion and for the openness of his statements. Mr Girard asked the Afghans to report the positions of France within the Afghan community in exile. [Submitted to Omaid Weekly by the Embassy of the Islamic State of Afghanistan in Paris, France.] [ Latest News ] [ News Archive ] [
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