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Report of the meeting between M. Jacques CHIRAC, President of the Republic, and Dr Condoleezza RICE, United States Secretary of State
Paris, 25 January 2007
President Chirac began by thanking Dr Rice for coming personally to the conference and for the very significant American contribution to help Lebanon. He considered that all this demonstrated the efficacy of an international community united in support of shared objectives. President Chirac and the Secretary of State agreed that France and the United States would go on working very closely together for the full implementation of the Security Council resolutions on Lebanon.
President Chirac and the Secretary of State talked about Iran. President Chirac restated France's position: she wishes Iran to comply with all her obligations under the international treaties and IAEA and Security Council resolutions. France and the United States are also fully committed to implementing the provisions of UNSCR 1737, which was passed unanimously. President Chirac reiterated that, provided that Iran respects her obligations and suspends her enrichment activities, the path of dialogue was still possible.
They discussed too the situation between Israel and the Palestinians. The Secretary of State set out to President Chirac her analysis and view of the situation following her recent round of visits. President Chirac said that, for France, what is crucial if we want to restore a dynamic of peace is re-establishing trust between Israelis and Palestinians. This is what motivated the French proposal for an international conference, which would provide the opportunity for giving the parties the guarantees that any agreement they had reached would be implemented. The President suggested that the Quartet's next meeting, in Washington, should look at these proposals.
Finally, looking ahead to the NATO meeting, tomorrow in Brussels, they also talked about Afghanistan and Kosovo./.
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