Bernard Kouchner

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"Kouchner" redirects here. For other people with the surname, see Kouchner (surname).

Bernard Kouchner
Claude Evin
Succeeded bySimone Veil
Personal details
Born (1939-11-01) 1 November 1939 (age 84)
Independent (2007–present)
Other political
affiliations		Socialist Party (1966–2007)
Communist Party (Before 1966)
Spouse(s)Évelyne Pisier (?-?; 3 children)
Christine Ockrent (1 child)
Alma materUniversity of Paris
ProfessionPhysician

Bernard Kouchner (born 1 November 1939) is a French politician and doctor. He is the co-founder of

Minister of Foreign and European Affairs in the center-right Fillon government under president Nicolas Sarkozy, although he had been in the past a minister in socialist governments. In 2010, The Jerusalem Post considered Kouchner the 15th most influential Jew in the world.[1] Since 2015 Kouchner is workstream leader for the AMU (Agency for the Modernisation of Ukraine), where he contributes his expertise in healthcare.[2]

Early life

Kouchner was born in

Auschwitz.[3]

Career

Kouchner began his political career as a member of the

protests of May 1968, he ran the medical faculty strike committee at the Sorbonne
.

Co-Founder of Médecins Sans Frontières and Médecins du Monde

Kouchner worked as a physician for the

Shia cleric Imam Musa al-Sadr".[6]

Career in government

From 1988, Kouchner began his government career in Socialist governments, though he was not always a member of the

Mitterrand
's presidency.

Member of the European Parliament, 1994–1997

Kouchner continued his political career in the

People's Republic of China
.

Together with Judge Andrée Ruffo, Kouchner established the International Bureau for Children's Rights (IBCR), a non-governmental organization based in Montreal, in 1994.

Minister of Health, 1997–1999

When Lionel Jospin became Prime Minister in 1997, Kouchner became Minister of Health for the second time. He held the office until 1999.

UN Representative in Kosovo, 1999–2001

On 15 July 1999, pursuant to

University of Pristina
for his services to Kosovo.

Minister of Health, 2001–2002

Kouchner became at this time Minister of Health for the third time, until the 2002 elections.

Candidate for UN positions

In 2005, Kouchner was a candidate for the position of

UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan
.

In 2006, Kouchner was also a candidate to become Director-General of the World Health Organization.[9] He lost before the final election round, and (Hong Kong) Chinese candidate Margaret Chan was later elected.

In 2007, the

human rights abuses
in Sri Lanka.

Minister of Foreign Affairs, 2007–2010

After the election of

Minister of Foreign Affairs in Prime Minister François Fillon's government, even though Kouchner supported Sarkozy's Socialist rival Ségolène Royal during the campaign. He has since been expelled from the Socialist Party for his acceptance of the post.[10]

Kouchner was dismissed in the November 2010 Fillon cabinet reshuffle.

Political positions

On the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq

Kouchner is a longtime advocate of humanitarian intervention.[11] In early 2003, he pronounced himself in favour of removing Saddam Hussein as President of Iraq,[11] arguing that interference against dictatorship should be a global priority, and continued to say that now, the focus should be on the actual people themselves, and that they are the only ones who could answer yes or no to war.

In a 4 February 2003 editorial with

War in Iraq, and, as the title suggests, to the remaining in power of Saddam Hussein, the removal of whom should be accomplished via a concerted UN, preferably diplomatic, solution.[12][13] He later became a fierce critic of how the occupation was subsequently conducted.[11]

On Europe

Kouchner is a well-known pro-European. He supported the ratification of the

Lisbon Treaty when it was threatened to be rejected by the Irish in referendum.[14] In the run up to the referendum in the Republic of Ireland on the ratification of the Treaty of Lisbon, Kouchner warned that any "No" vote towards the treaty would be detrimental to Ireland and the Irish economy. He also commented that "It would be very, very awkward if we were not able to count on the Irish, who have often counted on Europe".[15] His comments were dismissed as "unhelpful" by leading Irish politicians, and some media commentators have suggested that his remarks may have galvanised the "No" campaign in the run up to the rejection of the Lisbon Treaty on 13 June 2008.[16]

In 2012, Kouchner co-signed the George Soros call for a strengthening of the European prerogatives as an answer to the eurozone crisis.[17]

Comments on Iran nuclear situation

In September 2007, Kouchner's public comments on the Iranian nuclear situation attracted much attention and controversy. In an interview on 16 September 2007, he said, "We will negotiate until the end. And at the same time we must prepare ourselves [...] for the worst...The worst, it's war".[18] He stated that France was committed to a diplomatic resolution and that no military action was planned, but that an Iranian nuclear weapon would pose "a real danger for the whole world".[19] Iranian officials criticized the comments as "inflammatory".

UN Security Council.[20]

"I would not talk about any use of force", he said. On 18 September 2007, Kouchner attempted to respond to criticisms. In comments to newspaper Le Monde, he stated, "I do not want it to be said that I am a warmonger! [...] My message was a message of peace, of seriousness and of determination. [...] The worst situation would be war. To avoid that, the French attitude is to negotiate, negotiate, negotiate, without fear of being rebuffed, and to work with our European friends on credible sanctions."[21]

Comments on a unity government for Zimbabwe

On 1 July 2008, France assumed the presidency of the Council of the European Union. In his capacity as the French foreign minister, he commented after the African Union summit, that The European Union would only recognise a Zimbabwe unity government headed by Morgan Tsvangirai not Robert Mugabe.[22]

Use of condoms to prevent AIDS in Africa

Kouchner denounced statements by Pope Benedict XVI claiming that condoms promoted AIDS, saying they were "the opposite of tolerance and understanding".[23]

Life after politics

After leaving politics, Kouchner took on a variety of positions, including the following:

Personal life

Kouchner has three children (Julien, Camille and Antoine) by his first wife, Évelyne Pisier, a law professor, and one child, Alexandre, by his present wife Christine Ockrent, a TV anchor and author.

Honours

References

  1. ^ Linde, Steve (21 May 2010). "World's 50 most influential Jews". The Jerusalem Post. 15. Bernard Kouchner, Foreign Minister.
  2. ^ "Finanznachrichten - Börse & Wirtschaft aktuell". www.wallstreet-online.de.
  3. ^ Elaine Sciolino (18 May 2007), France's top diplomat: A doctor who's direct International Herald Tribune.
  4. ^ Nouveau Grub Street, The Economist, 31 May 2007 (in English)
  5. ^ A Statesman Without Borders, The New York Times Magazine, 3 February 2008 (in English)
  6. ^ Long, Taylor (20 July 2007). "Civil society represents Kouchner's conscience, says doctor". nowlebanon.com. Archived from the original on 27 September 2007. Retrieved 26 July 2007.
  7. ^ "Biography Bernard Kouchner". UN. Archived from the original on 27 October 2006.
  8. ^ "What is UNMIK?". UN. Archived from the original on 11 November 2006.
  9. ^ Brown, David (5 November 2006). "Field of 11 Candidates Competes to Head WHO". The Washington Post.
  10. ^ France New's Government – A study in perpetual motion, The Economist, 23 June 2007 (in English)
  11. ^ a b c John Thornhill (18 May 2007), Foreign minister set to ruffle diplomatic feathers Financial Times.
  12. ^ Le Monde, 4 February 2003, Ni la guerre ni Saddam Archived 7 July 2007 at the Wayback Machine
  13. ^ Le Monde, 18 May 2007, La dernière mission du docteur Kouchner Archived 7 November 2007 at the Wayback Machine
  14. ^ "Bernard Kouchner : "Tout le monde se tourne vers l'Europe au moment où on la refuse à l'intérieur"". rtl.fr (in French). Archived from the original on 12 February 2012. Retrieved 13 February 2012.
  15. ^ Der Spiegel 11 June 2008
  16. ^ France 24 Archived 16 June 2008 at the Wayback Machine 13 June 2008
  17. ^ "As concerned Europeans we urge eurozone leaders to unite". Financial Times. Retrieved 13 February 2012.
  18. ^ a b Iran scorns French warning of war, BBC News, 17 September 2007
  19. ^ After Talk of War, Cooler Words in France on Iran, The New York Times
  20. ^ ElBaradei concerned over Iran row BBC Sep17, 2007
  21. ^ Der Spiegel. 17 September 2007.
  22. ^ AFP: EU will only accept Tsvangirai as Zimbabwe leader: Kouchner Archived 11 December 2008 at the Wayback Machine. 1 July 2008
  23. ^ "Pope protesters, supporters clash in France". Reuters. 22 March 2009.
  24. ^ Board of Trustees American University of Kurdistan.
  25. ^ Selection Committee Archived 9 September 2018 at the Wayback Machine Aurora Prize.
  26. ^ Board of Advisors Archived 9 September 2018 at the Wayback Machine Devex.
  27. ^ International Board of Advisors Echo Foundation.
  28. ^ Members of the Council European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR).
  29. ^ International Council of Advisors International Campaign for Tibet (ICT).
  30. ^ Advisory Council Toledo International Centre for Peace (CITpax).
  31. American Academy of Achievement
    .
  32. ^ "2005 Summit Highlights Photo". Author John Irving with Dr. Bernard Kouchner, founder of Doctors Without Borders and a Nobel Prize laureate.
  33. ^ "Bernard Kouchner". Retrieved 6 January 2018.
  34. ^ Invitation to the awarding of the "Victor Gollancz Prize" to Bernard Kouchner Archived 18 May 2015 at the Wayback Machine, gfbv.de
  35. ^ "Honorary Knighthoods Awarded 1997-2006".

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Bernard Kouchner.
Political offices
Preceded by
Claude Evin
 Minister of Health
1992–1993 		Succeeded by
Preceded byas Minister of Foreign Affairs
Minister of Foreign and European Affairs

2007–2010 		Succeeded by
Preceded by President of the Council of the European Union
2008 		Succeeded by
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