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			{{Short description\|French doctor and politician}}
	''' Bernard Kouchner''' (born ] ] in ]) is a ] socialist politician, ], and ]. He is co-founder of '']'' (MSF) and of '']''.
			{{Redirect\|Kouchner\|other people with the surname\|Kouchner (surname)}}
	He is currently the ] ].
			{{Use dmy dates\|date=July 2020}}
			{{Infobox officeholder
			\|name = Bernard Kouchner
			\|image = Réception pour les Français de Shanghai 20100430 - 21.jpg
			\|office = ]
			\|primeminister = ]
			\|term_start = 17 May 2007
			\|term_end = 13 November 2010
			\|predecessor = ] <small>(Foreign and European Affairs)</small>
			\|successor = ]
			\|office2 = 1st ]
			\|term_start2 = 15 July 1999
			\|term_end2 = 12 January 2001
			\|predecessor2 = ]
			\|successor2 = ]
			\|office3 = ]
			\|primeminister3 = ]
			\|term_start3 = 2 April 1992
			\|term_end3 = 29 March 1993
			\|predecessor3 = ]
			\|successor3 = ]
			\|birth_date = {{birth date and age\|1939\|11\|1\|df=y}}
			\|birth_place = ], France
			\|death_date =
			\|death_place =
			\|party = ] <small>(2007–present)</small>
			\|otherparty = ] <small>(Before 1966)</small><br/>] <small>(1966–2007)</small>
			\|spouse = ] (?-?; 3 children)<br>] (1 child)
			\| alma_mater = ]
			\|profession = Physician
			}}

			''' Bernard Kouchner''' (born 1 November 1939) is a French politician and doctor. He is the co-founder of ] (MSF) and ]. From 2007 until 2010, he was the French ] in the center-right ] government under president ], although he had been in the past a minister in socialist governments. In 2010, '']'' considered Kouchner the 15th most influential Jew in the world.<ref>{{cite web\|last=Linde\|first=Steve\|title=World's 50 most influential Jews\|url=http://www.jpost.com/Jewish-World/Jewish-Features/Worlds-50-most-influential-Jews\|work=The Jerusalem Post\|date=21 May 2010\|quote=15. Bernard Kouchner, Foreign Minister.}}</ref> Since 2015 Kouchner is workstream leader for the AMU (]), where he contributes his expertise in healthcare.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.wallstreet-online.de/nachricht/7637922-amu-team-starts-programme-work\|title=Finanznachrichten - Börse & Wirtschaft aktuell\|website=www.wallstreet-online.de}}</ref>

			==Early life==
			Kouchner was born in ], to a Jewish father and a Protestant mother. Kouchner's paternal grandparents were ] who escaped the ] by immigrating to France, but perished decades later in ].<ref>Elaine Sciolino (18 May 2007), '']''.</ref>

	==Career==		==Career==
			Kouchner began his political career as a member of the ] (PCF), from which he was expelled in 1966 for attempting to overthrow the leadership.<ref>, '']'', 31 May 2007 {{in lang\|en}}</ref> On a visit to ] in 1964, Kouchner spent the night fishing and drinking with ].<ref>, '']'', 3 February 2008 {{in lang\|en}}</ref> In the ], he ran the medical faculty strike committee at the ].
	<!-- Unsourced image removed: ], ], ], ], and ].]] -->

	]
			===Co-Founder of Médecins Sans Frontières and Médecins du Monde===
			Kouchner worked as a physician for the ] in ] in 1968 (during the ]). His experience as a physician for the Red Cross led him to co-found ] (Doctors Without Borders) in 1971, and then, due to a conflict of opinion with MSF chairman ], he established '']'' ('Médecins du Monde') in 1980. Kouchner worked as a humanitarian volunteer during the Siege of Naba'a refugee camp in Lebanon in East Beirut during the ] taking risks that "other foreign aid workers weren't, even worked closely with the ] cleric ] ]".<ref>
			{{cite news
			\| last= Long
			\| first= Taylor
			\| url= http://www.nowlebanon.com/NewsArticleDetails.aspx?ID=7345
			\| title= Civil society represents Kouchner's conscience, says doctor
			\| publisher= nowlebanon.com
			\| date= 20 July 2007
			\| access-date= 26 July 2007
			\| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20070927121912/http://www.nowlebanon.com/NewsArticleDetails.aspx?ID=7345
			\| archive-date= 27 September 2007
			\| url-status= dead}}
			</ref>

			===Career in government===
			From 1988, Kouchner began his government career in Socialist governments, though he was not always a member of the ] (PS). He became "Secrétaire d'état", a lower position in the Cabinet, for Humanitarian Action in 1988 in the ] cabinet, then ] under ] in 1992, during ]'s presidency.

			===Member of the European Parliament, 1994–1997===
			Kouchner continued his political career in the ] from 1994 to 1997. During the time, he chaired the ] and served on the ]. In addition to his committee assignments, he was a member of the Parliament's delegation for relations with the ].

			Together with Judge ], Kouchner established the ] (IBCR), a ] based in Montreal, in 1994.

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

			===UN Representative in Kosovo, 1999–2001===
			On 15 July 1999, pursuant to ] ], ] ] nominated Kouchner as the second ] and Head of the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (]).<ref>{{cite web
			\| url= http://www.un.org/peace/kosovo/pages/kosovo5b.htm
			\| title= Biography Bernard Kouchner
			\| publisher= UN
			\| url-status= dead
			\| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20061027065738/http://www.un.org/peace/kosovo/pages/kosovo5b.htm
			\| archive-date= 27 October 2006}}</ref> During 18 months, he led UN efforts to create a new civil administration and political system replacing the ]n ones, and to rebuild the economy shattered by the ]. Thus, ] councils were elected at local level by the end of 2000.<ref>{{cite web
			\| url= http://www.un.org/peace/kosovo/pages/unmik12.html
			\| title= What is UNMIK?
			\| publisher= UN
			\| url-status= dead
			\| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20061111113443/http://www.un.org/peace/kosovo/pages/unmik12.html
			\| archive-date= 11 November 2006}}</ref> He was replaced on 21 January 2001 by ] ]. Later, he was awarded an honorary doctorate by the ] for his services to Kosovo.

			===Minister of Health, 2001–2002===
			Kouchner became at this time ] for the third time, until the 2002 elections.

			===Candidate for UN positions===
			In 2005, Kouchner was a candidate for the position of ] (UNHCR), but lost the appointment in favor of former Portuguese Prime Minister, ], who was nominated by then-] ].

			In 2006, Kouchner was also a candidate to become ] of the ].<ref>{{cite news
			\| last= Brown
			\| first= David
			\| url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/11/04/AR2006110400792.html
			\| title= Field of 11 Candidates Competes to Head WHO
			\| newspaper=]
			\| date=5 November 2006
			}}</ref> He lost before the final election round, and (Hong Kong) Chinese candidate ] was later elected.

			In 2007, the ] appointed Kouchner as its representative on the ] (IIGEP), a group of individuals nominated by international donor countries and the ], vested with a wide mandate to observe all investigations and inquiries conducted by and on behalf of the Commission of Inquiry into alleged ] in Sri Lanka.

			===Minister of Foreign Affairs, 2007–2010===
			After the election of ] as ] in 2007, Kouchner was appointed ] in ] ]'s government, even though Kouchner supported Sarkozy's Socialist rival ] during the campaign. He has since been expelled from the Socialist Party for his acceptance of the post.<ref>, '']'', 23 June 2007 {{in lang\|en}}</ref>

			Kouchner was dismissed in the November ].

			==Political positions==
			===On the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq===
			Kouchner is a longtime advocate of ].<ref name="ft.com">John Thornhill (18 May 2007), '']''.</ref> In early 2003, he pronounced himself in favour of removing ] as President of ],<ref name="ft.com"/> arguing that interference against ] 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 ] in '']'', entitled "Neither War Nor Saddam", Kouchner said that he was opposed to the impending ], 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.<ref>], 4 February 2003, '' {{webarchive \|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070707120254/http://www.reunir.asso.fr/article.php?id_article=21 \|date=7 July 2007 }}''</ref><ref>], 18 May 2007, '' {{Webarchive\|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071107104309/http://www.lemonde.fr/web/article/0,1-0,36-911935,0.html \|date=7 November 2007 }}''</ref> He later became a fierce critic of how the occupation was subsequently conducted.<ref name="ft.com"/>

			===On Europe===
			Kouchner is a well-known pro-European. He supported the ratification of the ] when it was threatened to be rejected by the Irish in referendum.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.rtl.fr/actualites/article/bernard-kouchner-tout-le-monde-se-tourne-vers-l-europe-au-moment-ou-on-la-refuse-a-l-interieur-146420\|title=Bernard Kouchner : "Tout le monde se tourne vers l'Europe au moment où on la refuse à l'intérieur"\|work=rtl.fr\|access-date=13 February 2012\|language=fr\|archive-date=12 February 2012\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120212184422/http://www.rtl.fr/actualites/article/bernard-kouchner-tout-le-monde-se-tourne-vers-l-europe-au-moment-ou-on-la-refuse-a-l-interieur-146420\|url-status=dead}}</ref> In the run up to the ] in the Republic of Ireland on the ratification of the ], 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".<ref> 11 June 2008</ref> 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.<ref> {{webarchive \|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080616041043/http://www.france24.com/en/20080611-kouchner-Ireland-EU-referendum-treaty-vote \|date=16 June 2008 }} 13 June 2008</ref>

			In 2012, Kouchner co-signed the ] call for a strengthening of the European prerogatives as an answer to the eurozone crisis.<ref>{{cite news\|url=http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/7d85abd2-f353-11e0-b11b-00144feab49a,Authorised=false.html?_i_location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ft.com%2Fcms%2Fs%2F0%2F7d85abd2-f353-11e0-b11b-00144feab49a.html&_i_referer=#axzz1bmUcohQo \|title=As concerned Europeans we urge eurozone leaders to unite \|work=]\|access-date=13 February 2012}}</ref>
	Born to a ] father and a Protestant mother, he began his political career as a member of the ] (PCF), from which he was excluded in ]. He worked as a physician for the ] in ] in ] (during the ]). He founded MSF in ], and then, due to a conflict of opinion with MSF chairman ], the ''Médecins du Monde'' (]).

			===Comments on Iran nuclear situation===
	He is a long-time advocate of ]. In early ], he pronounced himself in favour of the ]-led ], arguing that interference against ] 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 September 2007, Kouchner's public comments on the ] 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".<ref name="BBC">, '']'', 17 September 2007</ref> 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".<ref>, ''The New York Times''</ref>
			Iranian officials criticized the comments as "inflammatory".<ref name="BBC" /> The chief UN nuclear inspector ], the head of the ] indirectly responded to Kouchner by characterizing talk of attacking Iran as "hype", saying the use of force should only be considered as a last resort and only if authorized by the ].<ref> BBC Sep17, 2007</ref>

			"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 '']'', 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."<ref>. 17 September 2007.</ref>
	On July 15 1999, pursuant to ] ], ] ] nominated Kouchner as the first UN Special Representative and Head of the ] . During 18 months, he led UN efforts to create a new civil administration and political system replacing the Serbian ones, and to rebuild the economy shattered by three years of ]. Thus, ] councils were elected at local level by the end of 2000 . He was replaced on 21 January 2001 by danish social democrat ].

			===Comments on a unity government for Zimbabwe===
	In a February 4, 2003 editorial with ] in '']'', entitled "Neither War Nor Saddam," Kouchner said that he was opposed both to the impending ] and to France vetoing a hypothetical ] resolution opposing the war.
			On 1 July 2008, France assumed the ]. In his capacity as the French foreign minister, he commented after the ] summit, that The European Union would only recognise a ] unity government headed by ] not ].<ref> {{webarchive \|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081211005708/http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5jY62B349jh6i8pexagFaTXv3CiGw \|date=11 December 2008 }}. 1 July 2008</ref>

			===Use of condoms to prevent AIDS in Africa===
	In ], Kouchner was a candidate for the position of ] (UNHCR), but lost the appointment in favor of former ] ], ], who was nominated by the ] ]. One of Kouchner statements on behalf of his candidature can be found on the International Council of Voluntary Agencies .
			Kouchner denounced statements by ] claiming that condoms promoted AIDS, saying they were "the opposite of tolerance and understanding".<ref>{{cite news\|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSLM699605\|title=Pope protesters, supporters clash in France\|date=22 March 2009\|newspaper=Reuters}}</ref>

			==Life after politics==
	In ], Kouchner was also a candidate to become Director-General of the ]. He lost before the final election round and Chinese candidate ] was later elected. Both failures may hint at the distrust on the part of world state officials of an advocate of humanitarian interference.
			After leaving politics, Kouchner took on a variety of positions, including the following:
			* ] (AUK), Member of the Board of Trustees<ref> ].</ref>
			* ], Member of the Selection Committee (since 2017)<ref> {{Webarchive\|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180909115146/https://auroraprize.com/en/aurora-prize/2018/selection_committee \|date=9 September 2018 }} ].</ref>
			* '']'', Member of the Board of Advisors<ref> {{Webarchive\|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180909184854/https://www.devex.com/en/advisors \|date=9 September 2018 }} '']''.</ref>
			* Echo Foundation, Member of the International Board of Advisors<ref> Echo Foundation.</ref>
			* ] (ECFR), Member<ref> ] (ECFR).</ref>
			* ] (FACE), Member of the Board
			* ] (ICT), Member of the International Council of Advisors<ref> ] (ICT).</ref>
			* Toledo International Centre for Peace (CITpax), Member of the Advisory Council<ref> Toledo International Centre for Peace (CITpax).</ref>

			==Personal life==
	After the election of ] in ], he was appointed the ].
			Kouchner has three children (Julien, ] and Antoine) by his first wife, ], a law professor, and one child, Alexandre, by his present wife ], a TV anchor and author.

			==Honours==
	Kouchner is married to the journalist ], his second wife.
			* Golden Plate Award of the ] (2005)<ref>{{cite web\|title= Golden Plate Awardees of the American Academy of Achievement \|website=www.achievement.org\|publisher=]\|url= https://achievement.org/our-history/golden-plate-awards/#public-service}}</ref><ref>{{cite news \|title=2005 Summit Highlights Photo \| url= https://achievement.org/summit/2005/\|quote= Author John Irving with Dr. Bernard Kouchner, founder of Doctors Without Borders and a Nobel Prize laureate.}}</ref>
			* ] (2011)<ref>{{cite web \|url=http://pulaski.pl/member/bernard-kouchner/ \|title=Bernard Kouchner \|access-date=2018-01-06}}</ref>
			* ] (2014) in recognition of his "lifelong, unwavering commitment to fight crimes against humanity"<ref> {{webarchive\|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518112935/http://www.gfbv.de/inhaltsDok.php?id=2783 \|date=18 May 2015 }}, gfbv.de</ref>
			* Honorary Knight Commander of The Most Excellent ]<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://data.parliament.uk/DepositedPapers/Files/DEP2009-2154/DEP2009-2154.doc\|title=Honorary Knighthoods Awarded 1997-2006}}</ref>

	==~~Positions held~~==		==References==
			{{reflist}}
	* Became the first "Secrétaire d'état" (lower ministerial cabinet) in charge of humanitarian action from ] to ] (in the ] cabinet.)
	* ] in ]-] (under ]).
	* ] from ] to ].
	* State Secretary for Health from 1997 to ].
	* Representing Administrator of the ] in ] from ] to ].
	* Health-Delegated Minister from ] to ].
	<!--* Named Foreign Minister by newly elected French President Nicolas Sarkozy. ]-->
	{{start box}}
	{{succession box\|title=]\|before=]\|after=]\|years=1992–1993}}
	{{succession box\|title=]\|before=]\|after=Incumbent\|years=2007 - }}
	{{end box}}

	==External links==		==External links==
			{{Commons Category}}
	{{commons\|Bernard Kouchner\|Bernard Kouchner}}
			* English, salon.eu.sk, February 2009
	* at the ]
			* , '']'', 3 February 2008
	*
	*, ], 25 December 2006		* {{Webarchive\|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200818200702/http://www.asiantribune.com/index.php?q=node%2F3830 \|date=18 August 2020 }}, ], 25 December 2006
	*, By Elaine Sciolino, '']'', May ~~18,~~ 2007		* , by Elaine Sciolino, '']'', 18 May 2007
			*
			* Karina Paulina Marczuk, ''A Visionary and a Practitioner: the Bernard Kouchner vs. David Kilcullen'', "Defence and Strategy", vol. 2/2007
			* ]: ], 9 July 2009

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Latest revision as of 13:10, 6 September 2024

French doctor and politician "Kouchner" redirects here. For other people with the surname, see Kouchner (surname).

Bernard Kouchner


Minister of Foreign and European Affairs
In office 17 May 2007 – 13 November 2010
Prime Minister	François Fillon
Preceded by	Philippe Douste-Blazy (Foreign and European Affairs)
Succeeded by	Michèle Alliot-Marie
1st Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Kosovo
In office 15 July 1999 – 12 January 2001
Preceded by	Sérgio Vieira de Mello
Succeeded by	Hans Hækkerup
Minister of Health
In office 2 April 1992 – 29 March 1993
Prime Minister	Pierre Bérégovoy
Preceded by	Claude Evin
Succeeded by	Simone Veil

Personal details
Born	(1939-11-01) 1 November 1939 (age 85) Avignon, France
Political party	Independent (2007–present)
Other political affiliations	PCF (Before 1966) PS (1966–2007)
Spouse(s)	Évelyne Pisier (?-?; 3 children) Christine Ockrent (1 child)
Alma mater	University of Paris
Profession	Physician

Bernard Kouchner (born 1 November 1939) is a French politician and doctor. He is the co-founder of Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) and Médecins du Monde. From 2007 until 2010, he was the French 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. Since 2015 Kouchner is workstream leader for the AMU (Agency for the Modernisation of Ukraine), where he contributes his expertise in healthcare.

Early life

Kouchner was born in Avignon, to a Jewish father and a Protestant mother. Kouchner's paternal grandparents were Russian-born Jews who escaped the pogroms by immigrating to France, but perished decades later in Auschwitz.

Career

Kouchner began his political career as a member of the French Communist Party (PCF), from which he was expelled in 1966 for attempting to overthrow the leadership. On a visit to Cuba in 1964, Kouchner spent the night fishing and drinking with Fidel Castro. In 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 Red Cross in Biafra in 1968 (during the Nigerian Civil War). His experience as a physician for the Red Cross led him to co-found Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders) in 1971, and then, due to a conflict of opinion with MSF chairman Claude Malhuret, he established Doctors of the World ('Médecins du Monde') in 1980. Kouchner worked as a humanitarian volunteer during the Siege of Naba'a refugee camp in Lebanon in East Beirut during the Lebanese Civil War taking risks that "other foreign aid workers weren't, even worked closely with the Shia cleric Imam Musa al-Sadr".

Career in government

From 1988, Kouchner began his government career in Socialist governments, though he was not always a member of the Socialist Party (PS). He became "Secrétaire d'état", a lower position in the Cabinet, for Humanitarian Action in 1988 in the Michel Rocard cabinet, then Minister of Health under Pierre Bérégovoy in 1992, during Mitterrand's presidency.

Member of the European Parliament, 1994–1997

Kouchner continued his political career in the European Parliament from 1994 to 1997. During the time, he chaired the Committee on Development and Cooperation and served on the Subcommittee on Human Rights. In addition to his committee assignments, he was a member of the Parliament's delegation for relations with 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 Security Council Resolution 1244, UN Secretary General Kofi Annan nominated Kouchner as the second UN Special Representative and Head of the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK). During 18 months, he led UN efforts to create a new civil administration and political system replacing the Serbian ones, and to rebuild the economy shattered by the Kosovo War. Thus, municipal councils were elected at local level by the end of 2000. He was replaced on 21 January 2001 by Danish Social Democrat Hans Hækkerup. Later, he was awarded an honorary doctorate by the 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 United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), but lost the appointment in favor of former Portuguese Prime Minister, António Guterres, who was nominated by then-UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan.

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

In 2007, the European Commission appointed Kouchner as its representative on the International Independent Group of Eminent Persons (IIGEP), a group of individuals nominated by international donor countries and the government of Sri Lanka, vested with a wide mandate to observe all investigations and inquiries conducted by and on behalf of the Commission of Inquiry into alleged human rights abuses in Sri Lanka.

Minister of Foreign Affairs, 2007–2010

After the election of Nicolas Sarkozy as President of France in 2007, Kouchner was appointed 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.

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. In early 2003, he pronounced himself in favour of removing Saddam Hussein as President of Iraq, 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 Antoine Veil in Le Monde, entitled "Neither War Nor Saddam", Kouchner said that he was opposed to the impending 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. He later became a fierce critic of how the occupation was subsequently conducted.

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. 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". 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.

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

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". 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". Iranian officials criticized the comments as "inflammatory". The chief UN nuclear inspector Mohamed ElBaradei, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency indirectly responded to Kouchner by characterizing talk of attacking Iran as "hype", saying the use of force should only be considered as a last resort and only if authorized by the UN Security Council.

"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."

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.

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".

Life after politics

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

American University of Kurdistan (AUK), Member of the Board of Trustees
Aurora Prize, Member of the Selection Committee (since 2017)
Devex, Member of the Board of Advisors
Echo Foundation, Member of the International Board of Advisors
European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR), Member
Fondation Agir Contre l'Exclusion (FACE), Member of the Board
International Campaign for Tibet (ICT), Member of the International Council of Advisors
Toledo International Centre for Peace (CITpax), Member of the Advisory Council

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

Golden Plate Award of the American Academy of Achievement (2005)
Knight of Freedom Award (2011)
Victor Gollancz Prize (2014) in recognition of his "lifelong, unwavering commitment to fight crimes against humanity"
Honorary Knight Commander of The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire

References

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

External links

Jaroslav Formánek: Dwarves and giants English, salon.eu.sk, February 2009
A Statesman Without Borders, The New York Times Magazine, 3 February 2008
Kosovo's Kouchner, Inventor Of 'Humanitarian Interventionism', To Monitor Sri Lanka Archived 18 August 2020 at the Wayback Machine, Asian Tribune, 25 December 2006
A Surprising Choice for France's Foreign Minister, by Elaine Sciolino, The New York Times, 18 May 2007
CFR.org Video Highlights: Bernard Kouchner
Karina Paulina Marczuk, A Visionary and a Practitioner: the Bernard Kouchner vs. David Kilcullen, "Defence and Strategy", vol. 2/2007
Christopher Caldwell: Communiste et Rastignac London Review of Books, 9 July 2009

Political offices
Preceded byClaude Evin	Minister of Health 1992–1993	Succeeded bySimone Veil
Preceded byPhilippe Douste-Blazyas Minister of Foreign Affairs	Minister of Foreign and European Affairs 2007–2010	Succeeded byMichèle Alliot-Marie
Preceded byDimitrij Rupel	President of the Council of the European Union 2008	Succeeded byKarel Schwarzenberg

v t e Foreign Ministers of France
Ancien Régime	Revol Villeroy A. J. Richelieu Sillery R. Phélypeaux Bouthillier Chavigny Brienne Lionne Pomponne Croissy Torcy Huxelles Dubois Morville Chauvelin Chaillou Noailles Argenson Puisieulx Saint-Contest Rouillé Bernis É. Choiseul C. Choiseul É. Choiseul L. Phélypeaux Aiguillon Bertin Vergennes Montmorin Vauguyon Montmorin Lessart Dumouriez Naillac Chambonas Dubouchage Sainte-Croix
First Republic	Lebrun-Tondu Deforgues Goujon Herman Delacroix Talleyrand Reinhard Talleyrand
First Empire	Talleyrand Champagny Bassano Caulaincourt
First Restoration	Laforest Talleyrand
Hundred Days	Caulaincourt Bignon
Second Restoration	Talleyrand A. E. Richelieu Dessolles Pasquier M. Montmorency Chateaubriand Damas La Ferronays Montmorency-Laval Portalis Polignac Mortemart
July Monarchy	Bignon Jourdan Molé Maison Sébastiani V. Broglie Rigny Bresson Rigny V. Broglie Thiers Molé Montebello Soult Thiers Guizot
Second Republic	Lamartine Bastide Bedeau Bastide Drouyn de Lhuys Tocqueville Rayneval La Hitte Drouyn de Lhuys Brénier Baroche Turgot Drouyn de Lhuys
Second Empire	Drouyn de Lhuys Walewski Baroche Thouvenel Drouyn de Lhuys La Valette Moustier La Valette La Tour Auvergne Daru Ollivier Gramont La Tour d'Auvergne
Third Republic	Favre Rémusat A. Broglie Decazes Banneville Waddington Freycinet Barthélemy-Saint-Hilaire Gambetta Freycinet Duclerc Fallières Challemel-Lacour Ferry Freycinet Flourens Goblet Spuller Ribot Develle Casimir-Perier Hanotaux Berthelot Bourgeois Hanotaux Delcassé Rouvier Bourgeois Pichon Cruppi Selves Poincaré Jonnart Pichon Doumergue Bourgeois Viviani Doumergue Delcassé Viviani Briand Ribot Barthou Pichon Millerand Leygues Briand Poincaré Lefebvre Herriot Briand Herriot Briand Laval Tardieu Herriot Paul-Boncour Daladier Barthou Laval Flandin Delbos Paul-Boncour Bonnet Daladier Reynaud Daladier Reynaud Baudouin
Vichy France	Baudouin Laval Flandin Darlan Laval
Provisional Government	Bidault Blum
Fourth Republic	Bidault Schuman Bidault Mendès France Faure Pinay Pineau Pleven Couve de Murville
Fifth Republic	Couve de Murville Debré Schumann Bettencourt Jobert Sauvagnargues Guiringaud François-Poncet Cheysson Dumas Raimond Dumas Juppé Charette Védrine Villepin Barnier Douste-Blazy Kouchner Alliot-Marie Juppé Fabius Ayrault Le Drian Colonna Séjourné Barrot

v t e First Fillon government
François Fillon Alain Juppé Bernard Kouchner Hervé Morin Michèle Alliot-Marie Brice Hortefeux Rachida Dati Jean-Louis Borloo Éric Wœrth Xavier Bertrand Christine Boutin Christine Lagarde Xavier Darcos Valérie Pécresse Christine Albanel Roselyne Bachelot		Coat of Arms of France

v t e Second Fillon government
François Fillon François Baroin Alain Juppé Jean-Louis Borloo Michèle Alliot-Marie Bernard Kouchner Hervé Morin Brice Hortefeux Xavier Darcos Christine Lagarde Éric Wœrth Éric Besson Luc Chatel Bruno Le Maire Valérie Pécresse Frédéric Mitterrand Roselyne Bachelot Michel Mercier		Coat of Arms of France

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