France: ICRC President has high-level talks in Paris

During an official visit to France, ICRC President Cornelio Sommaruga was received on 6  February by French President Jacques Chirac and Prime Minister Lionel Jospin. Mr Sommaruga took this opportunity to urge that France reconsider its current position regarding ratification of Protocol I additional to the Geneva Conventions, an important instrument of international humanitarian law which in particular strengthens the protection afforded to civilians during international conflicts. The French Republic ratified Additional Protocol II, dealing with non-international conflicts, on 24 February 1984, but has yet to ratify the first of these two treaties. According to the ICRC President, France's ratification of Protocol I would be a major step towards the crucial goal of achieving universal recognition of humanitarian law.

During his stay in Paris, Mr Sommaruga also had talks with Foreign Minister Hubert  Vedrine, Defence Minister Alain  Richard and Secretary of State for Cooperation Charles  Josselin. The French authorities reiterated their support for the ICRC's work, and President Sommaruga commended France's contribution to the process aimed at securing a total ban on anti-personnel mines.