Interview With Hubert Védrine, Former French Foreign Minister
Randa Takieddine Al-Hayat - 22/01/07//
Paris - To Védrine, the former French Foreign Minister, the "clash of civilizations" needs to be countered, not only through measures taken in the fields of "education, training, and youth, but also by addressing crucial political issues poisoning the relations between the West and Islam," notably the "pivotal Israeli-Palestinian conflict in the Middle East".
In an interview with Al-Hayat, Védrine delves on some political ideas put forward in the final report by the "Alliance of Civilizations," a group the former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan has set up. He explains these ideas, urging the Palestinians and Israelis to share their " mutual experiences and sufferings" in order to "invigorate dialogue."
In addition, Védrine attributes the suffering of the Palestinian people to the "right-wing parties in Israel and the United States" and supports, in parallel, a French-Iranian dialogue, even though the West has unfortunately lost its chance "when the Iranian President Mohammed Khatami took office." "I always call for keeping dialogue channels open with Iran, Syria, Hezbollah, and Hamas," he stated, "I will not the least be stunned should France follow this path."
Here is the full text of the interview:
Al-Hayat: Can you explain further the idea of the "White Book" (Le Livre Blanc) you tackled with André Azoulay in the joint article published in Le Monde?
Hubert Védrine: This idea falls under the political chapter of the final report drafted by the Alliance of Civilizations, the well-known group the former UN Secretary General, Kofi Annan set up at the suggestion of the Spanish Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero and his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyib Erdogan.
In 2006, we have thoroughly pondered with other members of the group over the clash of civilizations, hence the need we sensed to seriously counter this threat, not only through measures related to education, training, and youth, but also by raising crucial political issues that poison the relations between the West and Islam, notably the fundamental Israeli-Palestinian conflict in the Middle East.
For this reason, the report pointed out, at our insistence, to the crucial Israeli-Palestinian conflict. We even tried André and me to advance a more ambitious long-term proposal consecrating the fact that the Israelis and the Palestinians with utterly contradictory experiences refuse each other's sufferings.
Most importantly, both peoples need in the long run to share their mutual experiences and sufferings for the sake of the future and in order to develop any potential political solution.
In parallel, the "White Book" highlights the experiences of both peoples as perceived by two educated and morally influential Israeli and Palestinian senior officials to be appointed by the UN Secretary General himself. Still, this idea complements and does not substitute for any political solution.
Al-Hayat: As the sole French official to attend the 15th anniversary of Madrid Conference, do you think that the latter can, with its mechanisms, revive dialogue between the Arabs and the Israelis?
Hubert Védrine: I was indeed the only French official to attend Madrid+15, which aimed at reviving the spirit of the peace conference, amid unfavorable regional circumstances, totally erroneous and bad US policies, and a weak Israeli leadership.
On the other hand, the Israeli public opinion endorses a Palestinian State. The Palestinians, for their part, endure misfortune and utter chaos, viewed as the outcome of a policy suggested by the US and Israeli right-wing parties.
Restoring the initially inexistent multilateral dialogue - even if it won't make miracles - highlights at least the need for the concerned governments to follow such policy with the potential contribution of initiatives, like Madrid's.
Al-Hayat: France intends to dispatch an envoy to Iran to discuss and redress the Islamic Republic's role in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and Lebanon. What do you think?
Hubert Védrine: We must always converse with countries of different opinions and values. Dialogue does not necessarily entail agreement. But there are many issues we can raise with Iran. The Westerners have lost their chance when President Mohammed Khatami took office. We are now grappling with President Mahmoud Ahmadi Nejad and his desire to make of Iran a nuclear power.
Two possible policies can be followed. For, in all likelihood, the US administration may, in the remaining two years of President Bush mandate, urge Israel to mount a military strike against the Iranian nuclear facilities.
Bush is constitutionally entitled to move in that direction, while the Democrats remain divided over the issue and lack a clear alternative thereto. I cannot the least confirm such possibility, as I have no information to rely upon, but I can't rule it out either.
The other policy stems from the standpoint of experts, who believe that the Iranian nuclear capacity will not be developed anytime soon, while in order to manage the Iraqi quagmire, Washington must try, as proposed the former Foreign Minister James Baker, whether directly or through a conference grouping Iraq's neighbors, to prod Iran to change its conduct, highlighting at the same time the price to be borne by the neighboring countries concerned with Iraq's independence.
Dialogue must be promoted with Iran in light of the widening domestic rift and disagreements. At this, the Iranians, discontented with Ahmadi Nejad policy and statements, will find a way out. In this regard, Bush has not unfortunately benefited from Baker-Hamilton report.
With respect to France, I always call for keeping dialogue channels open with Iran, Syria, Hezbollah, and Hamas. I will not the least be stunned should France follow this path though the current circumstances are no longer the same as under Khatami's rule.
If we opt for dialogue, we will then have to explain its bases and spirit to our Arab and Western friends. We must equally clarify that we do not intend, by taking such step, to cement Iran's capacity to destabilize and jeopardize the region. Absolutely not!
* Al-Hayat Translation Unit
|
