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 External links Jaroslav Formánek: Dwarves and giants English, salon.eu.sk, February 2009 A Statesman