January 10, 2003	Friday	Ziqa’ad 6, 1423

PARIS, Jan 9: France on Thursday condemned Israel’s decision to ban the travel to London of Palestinian representatives who were to have taken part in a conference.

“These obstacles to free circulation are unjustifiable,” noted foreign ministry spokesman Francois Rivasseau, “especially when their objective is to hinder dialogue and negotiation. Nobody has the right to lessen the chances of peace.”

Asked whether such measures might be “justifiable in other cases”, the spokesman did note that “yes, there can be situations where French law might recognize a temporary and proportionate limitation on certain freedoms, including that of free circulation, notably for reasons of security”.

“But,” he added, “in this case we consider the hindrances to freedom of circulation as being unjustifiable because they have the effect of preventing dialogue and negotiation from taking place.”