Science Blog -- TRANSCRIPT OF PRESS CONFERENCE BY PRESIDENT JACQUES CHIRAC OF FRANCE AND SECRETARY-GENERAL KOFI ANNAN AT HEADQUARTERS, 19 SEPTEMBER 2001

The Secretary-General:ï¿½ Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen.ï¿½ I see that we have a full house; it is very rare that we have so many of you here, so I can only assume that you came for President Jacques Chirac, because I am always here and I don’t get to see you.

The President and I have had a very good working lunch.ï¿½ We discussed the fight against terrorism and the need for all the nations of the world to come together to fight this scourge.ï¿½ We also discussed the need to tackle the issue and respond in a manner that will maintain the unity that emerged on 11 September, when every society and everyone condemned the attack.ï¿½ Of course, we all were conscious that if it can happen the way it did here, it can happen anywhere else; that we need to come together and fight the scourge; and that we should build on the resolutions of the Security Council and the General Assembly.ï¿½ We should do this in such a way as not to finger-point Muslims or people in one region or the other, but focus on the perpetrators.

We also talked about other issues.ï¿½ We talked about the Middle East peace process, about the situation in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, and also about the conflicts in Africa, in particular in the Congo.

President Chirac (interpretation from French):ï¿½ First of all, I should like to thank the Secretary-General.ï¿½ Each and every one of us knows of the respect and esteem we have for the institution and for its leader, and I should like to say how grateful I am for the welcome given us and the interest shown in the major problems facing the world today.

Yesterday I had the opportunity of meeting President Bush and to take stock, among other things, of the situation immediately following this dreadful attack, which shocked and revolted the entire world.ï¿½ We also brought up other problems.ï¿½ On that occasion, I wanted to tell President Bush of France’s solidarity -- which goes without saying –- and of its determination to take part in this fight against terrorism, which today must take on a new scope and be given a new priority; and also of its readiness to discuss with all States, especially the United States, the most appropriate ways and means of eradicating terrorism from the world.

This morning, with deep emotion and the strongest of feelings, I went to greet the Mayor of New York.ï¿½ We took a look at the facilities and we also took a flight over the area that was attacked.

That is what I have done.ï¿½ I am pleased to have this opportunity, along with the Secretary-General, to answer any questions you might wish to ask, as far as he is concerned or as far as I am concerned.

Question:ï¿½ Mr. Secretary-General and Mr. President, one of the most serious remaining issues is whether the Security Council is going to need authorization for any possible action that might be taken by the United States.ï¿½ I would like to know from the President whether he believes that such authorization is necessary.ï¿½ I was wondering also, Mr. Secretary-General, when you said that you were concerned that this coalition hold and that anything be done in a manner that would maintain the unity that had emerged, whether you had any specific ideas.

The Secretary-General:ï¿½ Let me say first of all that the Security Council acted very promptly and passed a resolution on this issue.ï¿½ Not only did it act promptly, the decision was unanimous.ï¿½ The Security Council has played important roles in the past, for example in the Gulf war and other situations.ï¿½ What I think is important is that a coalition should be as broad as possible and embrace all countries –- as many countries as possible –- because this is an issue that concerns all of us.

What I have tried to warn against is the tendency that is emerging in some quarters -– limited quarters -– that will divide the international community:ï¿½ finger-pointing Muslims, finger-pointing people from the Middle East or dark-skinned persons.ï¿½ Today each society is multicultural, and if we decide to go after individuals, we will start, first of all, dividing our own societies, whether it be here, or in France, or in Sweden or in England.ï¿½ And then on top of that, we will have a fight between the Islamic world and the non-Islamic world, which is not the case.ï¿½ We should focus on the perpetrators, build a broad coalition of nations that will fight against [inaudible].ï¿½ I think that the Security Council and the General Assembly have given us a basis to build on.

President Chirac (interpretation from French):ï¿½ I fully agree with the Secretary-General.

I do not have much to add.ï¿½ I would recall that it is true that the Security Council took a stand very quickly and unanimously, and -- I might venture to add

-- at the initiative of France.

But above and beyond this specific aspect of the matter, I should like to emphasize that our fight against terrorism has become an absolute priority in the world today.ï¿½ The ability of some fanatic fundamentalist terrorist groups to use the most modern technology, as well as the facilities provided by democratic regimes, means that there is a danger we should become aware of, which requires unity among all peoples and nations that acknowledge certain values, in particular human dignity.ï¿½ This presupposes a considerable strengthening of the resources allocated collectively in the long term, in areas such as police, the judiciary, information, and so on.ï¿½ All of this can be done effectively only in an accepted international context.ï¿½ From this point of view, we must acknowledge that the United Nations is the best possible body for bringing together all of the energy and coordinating it and to put policies into effect.

The United Nations has already done a great deal.ï¿½ There are about a dozen international conventions against terrorism which have been implemented by the United Nations.ï¿½ That is still not enough, even though today, we understand that it is in this forum that we can best mobilize our energy for eradicating terrorism -– in ways that are in conformity with our values, of course.

So I would add a final point.ï¿½ I unreservedly support the point of view of the Secretary-General.ï¿½ We should above all not confuse these fanatic fundamentalist terrorist groups with the Arab or Muslim world.ï¿½ That would be a terrible mistake.ï¿½ It would be unfair, and, above all, would mean that we would be falling into the trap that terrorists are setting for us, because they who would like to see what has been termed a clash of civilizations -- a surreal world.

Question (interpretation from French):ï¿½ President Bush is speaking of war.ï¿½ If the United States were to decide on a military response to the terrorism, what would France do in the framework of such a fight?

President Chirac (interpretation from French):ï¿½ The fight against terrorism is, indeed, a modern and as yet unknown form of war –- whether we call it a “war”, a “conflict” or a “fight” matters little.ï¿½ That is a fact.ï¿½ The response of the United States, if I understand it correctly, is still in the process of being defined.ï¿½ It will, of course, have to be both adapted to the situation and effective.ï¿½ That is the feeling of President George Bush as I understood it from our talks yesterday.

I can tell you that France will not stand aside in a fight against a scourge that defies all democracies.ï¿½ Today, it is New York that has been tragically struck, but tomorrow it may be Paris, Berlin or London.ï¿½ So of course France will determine the ways and means by which it will contribute, after, of course, making an evaluation of the situation and reaching agreement with the other Europeans and with the Americans -– in other words, with all its partners.ï¿½ I repeat:ï¿½ the action to be accomplished is something that by far transcends military action.ï¿½ It is really a question of genuine, coordinated long-term action in order to eradicate terrorism.

Question:ï¿½ [inaudible] given the fact that France has a big Muslim community, what measures has the Government taken to guarantee that no punitive measures will be taken by the citizens of France, especially given that such things have happened in some places here in the States?

President Chirac (interpretation from French):ï¿½ It is true that France has a large Muslim community of between 4 million and 5 million people –- about 4.5ï¿½million people.ï¿½ Many members of that community are from northern Africa.ï¿½ I can tell you that in France the reaction, completely condemning the attacks on New York and Washington, was unanimous; among Muslims, Christians, Jews and those who do not follow a specific religious creed, the reaction was unanimous.

A poll was taken a few days ago in France by an important polling institution, and it turned out that 96ï¿½per cent of the French population felt at one with the United States population.ï¿½ I cannot recall national agreement such as that.ï¿½ The relationship between Muslims and non-Muslims in France is not a problem.ï¿½ In all cities in France there have been ecumenical demonstrations, gathering together members of the Muslim, Christian, Jewish and Orthodox religions.ï¿½ That has been something absolutely unanimous.ï¿½ So at the present time in France we do not have such problems among communities, and of course I hope that that will remain the case.

Question (interpretation from French):ï¿½ The American press is emphasizing that you are the first head of State to come to the United States.ï¿½ Did you think of the consequences that that might have for France?ï¿½ Do you fear any attacks in France following this visit?

President Chirac (interpretation from French):ï¿½ France unfortunately knows this type of attack; it has several times been the victim of attacks that caused loss of life and injury –- though of course not on the scale of that involving New York and Washington.ï¿½ The most recent took place six years ago.ï¿½ This is yet another reason for France to be in solidarity with those who have been struck by these attacks, and to get involved in a merciless struggle with terrorism and terrorist groups.ï¿½ We in France are quite unanimous on this point.

Question:ï¿½ This question is addressed to both gentlemen.ï¿½ If you chop off Bin Laden’s head, two more will grow in its place.ï¿½ Most experts agree that Islamist terrorism draws its sustenance from the fact that most Arab nations are mired in poverty and dictatorship and, above all, because the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is continuing.ï¿½ My question has three parts.ï¿½ First, are you disappointed by the fact that Mr. Bush’s response has so far been to talk only of military action?ï¿½ Secondly, do you not believe that this is the time for a major, not to say final, push to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict?ï¿½ Thirdly, has either of you been speaking in private to the Bush Administration about such an initiative?

The Secretary-General:ï¿½ Let me say that, as part of the fight against terrorism, I think that the President has indicated the range of actions necessary if we are going to defeat terrorism, and who should be involved.ï¿½ I think that as part of that fight we should intensify our efforts to get to the root causes, which you have referred to -- that is, conflict, poverty, ignorance and racism.ï¿½ Indeed, people who are desperate and in despair become easy recruits for terrorist organizations.ï¿½ I think that that realization is accepted generally, and I know that the planners in Washington are also conscious of that.

Already we have seen a positive development on the Middle East front, and I think everybody realizes that we need to act.ï¿½ I think both the protagonists and the countries that are trying to bring about a peace process in the Middle East are determined to move forward.ï¿½ We have seen positive developments in the region:ï¿½ Chairman Arafat has spoken of an unconditional ceasefire and given instructions for violence to stop, and the Israelis have given instructions to begin withdrawing their troops from Jenin and elsewhere.ï¿½ Hopefully in the next few days this will lead to a meeting between Foreign Minister Peres and Chairman Arafat, and we will see this positive movement roll forward.ï¿½ But the root causes, and tackling the root causes, is very much a part of the process, and in my discussions with Washington that, too, is something that we discussed.

President Chirac (interpretation from French):ï¿½ I have nothing to add to what the Secretary-General said.

Question (interpretation from French):ï¿½ What specific measures are to be taken by the United Nations to campaign against terrorism?

The Secretary-General (interpretation from French):ï¿½ I think that the Security Council could take action.ï¿½ It is now discussing what type of follow-up should be given to the resolution.ï¿½ The members are holding discussions among themselves and with others.ï¿½ There is even the possibility of a ministerial meeting on this matter.ï¿½ But obviously we now need concrete action and cooperation among Member States.ï¿½ Furthermore, the General Assembly is in the process of discussing a convention against terrorism.ï¿½ We already have 12 conventions.ï¿½ I think that this year, given what we lived through last week, we can go forward and conclude the thirteenth convention, which will cover this, and which is now being discussed.ï¿½ That will impose certain obligations on Member States and encourage them to act together and cooperate.

Question:ï¿½ Today, we have been hearing more about the possibility of involvement of a number of different governments in hosting and supporting the acts of terror that took place.ï¿½ Some United Nations agencies have been dusting off some contingency plans regarding Iraq.

Mr. President, you are coming from Washington.ï¿½ Is Iraq really implicated and should we also think that it is on the list of these Governments mentioned by the Attorney General?

Mr. Secretary-General, does dusting off these plans mean that we should get ready for a hit in Iraq as well?ï¿½ As a follow-up also, how will you go beyond the Peres-Arafat meeting?ï¿½ Do you not think that it has been superseded by events?ï¿½ Do you have something more concrete than just to implement the Mitchell plan?

President Chirac (interpretation from French):ï¿½ I shall respond in English.

The Secretary-General (interpretation from French):ï¿½ Then I shall answer in French.

(spoke in English) Let me say that when you talk of dusting off, I am not sure that we have gone into elaborate plans of dusting off.ï¿½ When you have a major tragedy of the kind we are dealing with, which has an impact around the world, it is prudent that people with staff in exposed parts of the world take measures to protect them.ï¿½ I think that is what we are doing –- nothing more and nothing less.

On the question of the Middle East, let me say that the Mitchell plan -- the meeting that Foreign Minister Peres and Chairman Arafat are going to have is one that should eventually lead to the implementation of the Mitchell plan and a return to the negotiating table, where they will be expected to negotiate on the basis of United Nations resolutions and on the basis of land for peace.ï¿½ It is a road map that leads back to the table, and I think this is what everybody is counting on.

President Chirac (interpretation from French):ï¿½ I would like to add a comment.ï¿½ First, I repeat, and George Bush clearly stated this yesterday, there is no confusing the fundamentalist terrorists and the Muslim or Arab world.ï¿½ That would be falling into the trap that is being set for us.ï¿½ It would be profoundly unjust.ï¿½ Secondly, this means that it is the identified terrorists that must be sanctioned and perhaps those countries and groups where we have evidence that they have provided assistance to those identified terrorists.

Above and beyond the American response, which needs to follow those two rules, and this is what was recalled by the President, there is a two-fold action:ï¿½ one of identifying the terrorist groups and doing everything possible to neutralize them, in other words, finding them, bringing them to justice and doing everything possible for that purpose.

Secondly, to make this possible, it is necessary to implement new, concerted norms in the long term concerning all countries, and hence the irreplaceable role of the United Nations.ï¿½ That relates to the police, the justice system and the army, of course.ï¿½ But there is also the struggle against the dirty money that finances terrorism, measures to be taken in the technical field -- for example the telecommunications organization, the international civil aviation organization, etc. -- so there is a coordinated policy, making it possible to find out what action might be taken by terrorist groups, to identify them and, having identified them, to neutralize them.ï¿½ Neutralizing them means finding them and bringing them to justice.ï¿½ This means a considerable increase in our resources, in our determination and above all in our working together.ï¿½ It is not just the fight of one country.ï¿½ It is the fight of the entire international community, which is committed to human rights and to human dignity, a community which must defend itself against murderers who commit crimes that put freedom and human rights in jeopardy.