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VOL. 05.05 MAY 4, 2005

A free triweekly review of French news & trends Online at: www.ambafrance-us.org/publi Barnier Meets With Bush, Rice,Wolfowitz in D.C. INSIDE 2 L’événement RENCH FOREIGN MINISTER Michel Barnier visited supportive of European integration (…). We believe that a united Chirac Calls for Yes Vote Washington on May 2 to talk with Dr. Condoleezza Rice, his Europe, a Europe that is strong and capable, a Europe that is clearly, on E.U. Constitution American counterpart. Barnier also met with National at its core, democratic and that has a long tradition and with 3 France-Amérique Security Advisor Steve Hadley and the president-elect of the the United States, can only be good for the forward march of New U.S. Ambassador FWorld Bank, Paul Wolfowitz. While at the White House, the French progress and democracy in the world. And so we want to see the Named for France foreign minister met for 30 minutes with President George Bush. European project succeed, because a strong Europe will be good for Rice and Barnier maintain a continual dialogue over several key the forces of democracy." 4 Profil issues, including the revitalization of the Middle East peace process. While in Washington, Barnier spoke with the media, including National Parks The United States and France are in particular collaborating to help The Washington Post and CNN. During an interview with CNN's Économie / Science Lebanon recover its full sovereignty, and the two nations spearhead- Wolf Blitzer, he emphasized his desire to reinvigorate the French- 5 ed the passage of a U.N. resolution last year on the withdrawal of American relationship. "We are in a new stage, a new phase. There Stock Market for Syrian forces from Lebanon. At the end of their press conference are a lot of challenges that we need to face. There are a lot of reasons Small Businesses together, the French foreign minister and the U.S. secretary of state why we must work together while showing mutual respect for each 6 Société released a joint statement calling for the end of any "residual" Syrian other on both sides of the Atlantic. We will not achieve peace in the Citizenship Guide presence in Lebanon and pledging to assist Lebanon. Middle East without one another. We will not win the war against During the conference, Rice referred to the forthcoming referen- poverty, terror, without standing shoulder to shoulder." He added 7 Culture dum on the E.U. constitution in France (see our article on page 2) that "just as Americans need a strong Europe to stand by them, we New Home for da and noted that "the United States has been, from the very beginning, need a strong America that respects us and trusts us." l l Vinci’s Mona Lisa 8 Chez nous Soulages Expo France Held in High Regard in New York

CCORDING TO a recently released survey covering 23 large militaries and have recently used them in a prominent way, the countries, the country whose influence in world affairs is U.S. and Russia, are more often seen as having a negative influence. Amost highly regarded is France. Twenty out of 23 countries While trade might buy you love, guns clearly do not." surveyed had solid majorities (averaging 58 percent) in favor of The poll of 23,518 people was conducted by PIPA and by the AMBASSADE DE FRANCE France and its global influ- polling firm GlobeScan. For more information, please visit AUX ETATS-UNIS ence, with an average of only www.pipa.org. l l 20 percent having a neg- ative opinion of actions A380 SOARS SILENTLY ON SUCCESSFUL MAIDEN FLIGHT taken by the French The largest passenger airliner government. The coun- ever built made its maiden voy- try with the most posi- age from Toulouse, France, on tive perception of April 28. Just before 10:30 a.m., French foreign policy is the Airbus A380 started its engines (which produce as much Germany with 77 per- thrust as 3,500 cars on take-off) cent, followed by Italy and 34 seconds later, the four- with 73 percent, and engine, double-deck plane was China and South Korea, airborne, accompanied by the each with 72 percent. applause of more than 30,000 The study also found that 20 out of 23 countries feel that it onlookers. At the completion of would be mainly positive if Europe became more influential in the four-hour test flight, chief test pilot Jacques Rosay noted that the plane behaved world affairs. The strongest proponents of this position include "immaculately." "You handle it as you handle a bicycle. It's very, very easy to fly." French the United States' neighbors Mexico, with 66 percent of President declared that "a new page in aviation history has been written. It Mexicans favoring a stronger Europe, and Canada (with 63 per- is a magnificent result of European industrial cooperation." The plane is one-third larger than its closest competitor, the Boeing 747, and is built to cent in favor of a more influential E.U.). Over 60 percent of those transport 555 passengers in three different classes, but could fit as many as 800. Capacity surveyed in China, South Africa, Australia and Russia also sub- is not the only revolutionary characteristic of the A380—it is also more quiet and more fuel scribe to this position. efficient than any other large aircraft. Indeed, the dignitaries and journalists present Steven Kull, director of the Program on International Policy described it as more quiet than the small chase plane that accompanied it during its maid- Attitudes (PIPA) at the University of Maryland, explains that en flight. The A380 was designed to consume less fuel, relatively speaking, than a compact "Europe and China, which have engaged the world primarily car: it requires only four-fifths of a gallon to carry one passenger 100 miles. Airbus has through economic relations, or soft power, are widely seen as hav- already received 154 orders for the plane, and needs about 300 in all to break even. ing a mostly positive influence, while the countries that have very For more information, please visit www.airbus.com. 1 En bref current events L’ÉVÉNEMENT DEPORTATIONS COMMEMORATED Over a thousand representatives and government officials gathered on April Chirac Calls for a Yes Vote 24 at the Human Rights Square over- Chirac intervened to encourage voters to say yes on the E.U. constitution on May 29 looking the Eiffel Tower to commemo- rate the tens of thousands of Jews, political dissidents, homosexuals, RENCH PRESIDENT JACQUES CHIRAC the international stage. Chirac stated that France's future lies in a Gypsies and resistance fighters who appeared on French television on April 14 to urge the strong, united Europe, "We do not defend our interests alone. We were deported to Nazi concentration electorate to vote "yes" in the upcoming referendum on can only defend them collectively and if Europe is united." camps during World War II. Jacques the European constitution The European constitution Chirac, the first president to acknowl- Fafter several polls indicated a possible seeks to reinforce European coop- edge France's responsibility in the victory of the "no" vote. Chirac decid- eration and to give the E.U. a more deportation of Jews during the war, ed to address the issue of the E.U. con- unified voice in matters of foreign presided over this annual day of stitution, which will be submitted to a policy, particularly by creating the remembrance (which he instituted vote on May 29, in front of an audi- positions of president and foreign several years ago) to honor the "vic- ence of 80 youths from across France. minister. Chirac also remarked tims and heroes" of this terrible tragedy. Chirac reaffirmed the contin- President Chirac strongly argued that the constitution, which is ued importance of the fight against in favor of the constitution, urging founded on humanist values, sets racism and anti-Semitism, and called the French "not to be afraid" of goals and standards that will ben- for never-ending vigilance. Europe. Chirac warned about the set- President Jacques Chirac (left) and TF1 anchor efit France, by for instance making back a French rejection of the text Patrick Poivre d'Arvor (right)face the audience full employment a priority. would represent and highlighted the importance of the The constitution must be ratified, either by referen- for France. He said that rejecting the constitu- dum or by parliamentary vote, by the 25 members of the tion would halt Europe's development as a unified power, which Union. So far Lithuania, Hungary, Slovenia, Italy, Spain in turn would weaken France's ability to make its voice heard on and Greece have successfully ratified the text. l l

For more information, or to send donations: Saudi Arabian crown prince Students Without Borders Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz (left) spent 84, rue Vergniaud Web: www.etudessansfrontieres.org 75013 Paris, France Email: [email protected] April 13-15 in France to discuss eco- N A WORLD WHERE secondary education has nomic, cultural, and anti-terrorist become increasingly important, 20 French university full support to the project. The organization also contacted Air ties with President Jacques Chirac. Istudents have come together to offer those less fortunate France, which offered the students free air travel to France. The a chance to benefit from an education in France. Etudes organization is entirely nonprofit and funded by donations. FRANCE, GERMANY BOOST Sans Frontières (Students Without Borders) sent Chechen Donations and political support from Jack Lang, the for- INDUSTRIAL COOPERATION In order to maintain a technological students to school in Paris this year to escape the war zone mer minister of culture and , the founder of edge against rising international compe- in their homeland. With their academic year coming to an Medecins Sans Frontières, helped the program get on its feet. tition, France and Germany have rein- end, the experience has been judged a complete success. The French government has also thrown its support behind forced their industrial and scientific "We wanted them to have a democratic education and the initiative, by for instance accelerating the visa delivery cooperation through the launch of four develop intellectually," explained Laure Salefranque, secretary- process for the Chechen students. new initiatives. The four projects in the general of Etudes Sans Frontières. Many of the students come Next year, the organization hopes to extend its help to 18 fields of information technol- from Grozny, the Chechen capital, whose university is located more Chechen students and to Rwandan refugees. The ogy and medicine will be in the area considered to be the most dangerous in the city. Rwandan genocide orphaned many young Rwandan students jointly funded by the two Salefranque and her partners created the organization in and the chance to study in France would give them the oppor- countries and include pro- 2003, along the lines of the French nonprofit group Médecins tunity to get a new start in life. grams to develop a multime- Sans Frontières, which sends doctors into war zones and Etudes Sans Frontières is also in the process of creating dia search engine for the Internet, expand mobile tele- impoverished areas where care is needed. The students con- ties with American and British universities, as many of the phone technology, research tacted French university presidents asking for free tuition for students in the program have expressed a strong interest in new brain scan machines, the refugees, and the universities readily accepted, giving their learning English. l l and design equipment to help identify diseases by ana- lyzing skin tissue. In a speech at the Sorbonne, President Raffarin Visits China, 20 Agreements Signed Jacques Chirac declared that France and Germany "must RANCE AND CHINA signed 20 agreements on a military technology to third countries). take the offensive and launch number of issues, including several contracts worth a Three Chinese airlines signed contracts to purchase 30 a massive effort in favor of innovation. At stake is tech- Ftotal of 3 billion euros, on April 21, during a three-day Airbus aircraft, and Airbus and the China Aviation Industry nological supremacy in the visit by French Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin to Corporation made plans to establish an engineering center in world. It is a battle for the China. Raffarin spoke with China's Premier Wen Jiabao and Beijing to perform aircraft design work. The two countries also jobs of tomorrow." Major reaffirmed the European position in favor of the lifting of agreed on enhanced nuclear cooperation. "This is a framework corporations such as , the ban on arms sales to China. The French government agreement that will allow the French side to provide personnel Siemens, L'Oréal, and Thales, believes that lifting the embargo would encourage China to and technical support to Chinese nuclear plants," said Qiao as well as the National Center pursue its economic and democratic reforms (in practice, Junping, the Beijing representative of the Guangdong Nuclear for Scientific Research the lifting would be symbolic, as Europe would maintain Power Group. Currently, two nuclear plants in Guangdong are (CNRS), will pool their efforts and strengthen its strict restrictions on the sale of advanced equipped with French nuclear technology. l l as part of these agreements. 2 FRANCE TO HELP FRENCH France & America HOLLYWOOD MOVIES French Minister of Culture Renaud Donnedieu de Vabres announced recent- ly that all films with American financing, but produced in French and at least in part in France, are eligible for govern- Stapleton Named New U.S. Ambassador ment subsidies. France's system of subsi- dies for French movies, devised in order HE WHITE HOUSE ANNOUNCED the planned (magna cum laude) and Harvard Business School. A mem- to nurture a vibrant national film industry, appointment of Craig Stapleton, ber of the Democratic Party, Stapleton has proved very successful: last year, France produced 203 films, double what 55, as the new U.S. ambassador to nevertheless has close ties with the Bush was produced in Italy, Europe's second France on April 12. Stapleton will family (he partnered with Bush to buy the largest movie producer. rTeplace current ambassador Howard Texas Rangers baseball team, and later Leach, who has served in France since married one of Bush's cousins). U.S. AND FRANCE UNITE September 2001 and who is returning to In his new role, Stapleton will benefit AGAINST FILM PIRACY the private sector. Stapleton's appoint- from his substantial diplomatic and busi- American and French filmmakers met at ment, which is awaiting confirmation by ness experience. Before serving as ambas- the Hollywood headquarters of the the Senate, will place him in one of sador in Prague, he was president of American Film Institute on April 12 to dis- America's top diplomatic posts during an Marsh and McLennan Real Estate cuss the issue of movie piracy, and to devise ways in which they could join forces important period of renewed cooperation Advisors in New York. Stapleton has also to stop what many see as a threat to the between two traditional allies. Stapleton served on the board of directors of a num- film industry. Xavier Merlin, director of expects to reinvigorate the close economic ber of publicly traded U.S. companies. His Craig Stapleton European and international affairs at and political relationship between France charitable involvement, meanwhile, has France's National Center for and the United States and to promote their joint effort at focused on private education: he has served as a Trustee of Cinematography, said that France and democracy-building in Iraq. the Brunswick School in Connecticut, and on numerous America "share the same concerns, we are Stapleton, who served as ambassador to the Czech committees at Harvard. He also served on the board of the together, piracy hurts everyone who dis- Republic until late 2003, is a graduate of Harvard College Peace Corps during the senior Bush's presidential term. l l tributes, makes, directs movies."

BRUCE WILLIS HONORED BY FRANCE France and U.S. Deepen Scientific Cooperation Actor Bruce Willis, star of the Die Hard films and Sin City, has been made an offi- cer in France's Order of Arts and Letters, RANCE'S NATIONAL CENTER for Scientific D.C. The two countries already enjoy strong scientific the highest cultural honor Research (CNRS) and the United States' Department of ties, and these agreements will further expand French- in the country. "This is FEnergy (DOE) signed three bilateral agreements on American collaboration in research and development. France's way of paying April 4 at the French Ambassador's residence in Washington, The general agreement serves as an umbrella for the tribute to an actor who two specific agreements that were signed (the first con- epitomizes the strength of cerning nuclear physics and the second particle American cinema, the physics, astrophysics and cosmology), but it also leaves power of the emotions the door open for future collaborations and exchanges that he invites us to share on the world's screens and in other areas of mutual interest. the sturdy personalities of his legendary The three agreements will last for five years and outline characters," said Culture Minister Renaud several actions that can be taken to ensure the sharing of Donnedieu de Vabres who pre- know-how. These actions include a physical exchange of sented Willis with the award. "I researchers between the two agencies, formal channels of am touched by this medal," information exchange, and the execution of several joint pro- Willis said, speaking in French, "It Dr. Raymond Orbach, director of the DOE’s Office of jects, with particular focus on the physics of relativistic heavy proves that film has no borders Science, and Dr. Michel Spiro, director of the French ions, particle physics, astrophysics and cosmology. and that we all belong to the National Institute for Nuclear and Particle Physics, sign Additionally, two sub-committees were created to oversee the same artistic community." the umbrella agreement. specific agreements' implementation. l l L.A. FRENCH FILM FESTIVAL BIG SUCCESS The annual "City of Lights, City of Mon Quotidien Pairs Up With Miami Herald Angels" film festival in Los Angeles brought together French The French daily for kids is seeking to expand in the U.S. market with an English edition and American filmmakers who view movies as an ideal medium OLLOWING OUR PREVIOUS article on the success partnership, which he says has been seven years in the making. to strengthen transatlantic ties. of Mon Quotidien (see NFF 05.01), the French daily for The U.S. edition will include many of the same stories as From April 11 to 17, 19 French kids has announced plans to enter the U.S. market its French counterpart, with which it will also share a similar films were screened for what was F the festival's ninth year. Legendary through a collaboration with the Miami Herald. An English layout. Articles will be written or translated by an English- French director Claude Lelouch version of Mon Quotidien will be distributed free to thousands speaking staff in Paris, and the copies will then be transmit- opened the festival with the pre- of children in the Kendall Lakes neighborhood of Miami dur- ted overnight to Florida for printing. By covering the initial miere of his new movie, "Men ing a six-month trial period to judge the concept's reception cost of 500,000 euros (nearly $650,000) itself, Play-Bac Presse and Women." The film is a fol- in the United States. Printing began the week of April 4 for the is incurring the entire risk involved in the venture. But it low-up to his classic "A Man and three versions of the paper, appropriately called Daily 13, hopes that once the children's daily proves itself, the Miami a Woman," written almost 40 Daily 10, and Daily 7, each one corresponding to its target age Herald, and perhaps other U.S. newspapers as well, will sub- years ago, and is the fusion of group. François Dufour, head of Mon Quotidien's French scribe to its new service on a paying basis and include its two different films Lelouch has been working on for years. publisher Play-Bac Presse, is excited about the transatlantic dailies in their entire circulation. l l 3 In Depth Review PROFIL The 7 Natural Wonders of France FRANCE HAS SEVEN NATIONAL PARKS, representing 0.8 percent of French territory and located mainly in the south, due to the scarcity of population in these areas. Three are locat- ed in the high mountains of the Alps (la Vanoise, le Mercantour and Les Ecrins), one is in the Pyrénées, and one in the uplands of the Center region (Les Cévennes). The maritime park of Port Cros and the remote island of Guadeloupe, the most recent addition, complete the set. Thanks to the law on national parks adopted in the 1960s, the classification of a geographical area as a national park ensures the protection of its landscapes and biodiversity, by preventing human settlements. Indeed, these parks are meant first and foremost to be transmitted intact for future generations to enjoy, but also to enable public access to their unique natural heritage. For more information, visit www.parcsnationaux-fr.com.

La Vanoise vated partly by the near extinction of the ibex, with only a few hundred of the wild goats remaining in 1823, when ibex hunting was prohibited in France. La Vanoise has been HE FIRST national paired with the Gran Paradiso National Park on the Italian side since 1972, and the two park created in France, parks together represent the largest protected reserve in Western Europe. Tin 1963, la Vanoise lies Throughout the park, the tremendous range of altitude—from 2,541 to 9,227 south of the Mont Blanc moun- feet—provides habitats for many tain range, along the spine of the species of flora and fauna, High Alps, in the region including a wide variety of alpine of France. Despite its relatively wildflowers as well as chamois, small size (about 200 square The Bellecombe lake in La Vanoise ibex, marmots, and about 125 miles for the central zone), la Vanoise boasts an impressive diversity of flora, fauna, geo- species of birds. logical structures and points of interest. Historically, the creation of the park was moti- For more information, please visit the parc’s Web site, Port Cros: a Marine Hideaway www.vanoise.com. l l A male Ibex HE PORT CROS NATIONAL PARK includes the peninsula of Giens Salins thropists Marcel and Marceline Henry made their home on the island and many other in Hyères, Cape Lardier, and the islands of Porquerolles and Port Cros. A pioneer intellectuals such as Malraux, Valéry, Gide and Arland, as well as Jean Paulhan, the direc- Tfor marine reserves throughout the Mediterranean, its core mission is to protect tor of the Nouvelle Revue Française (NRF), followed their lead. biodiversity and marine ecosystems. The original landscape became the first marine For more information, please visit www.portcrosparcnational.fr. l l park in Europe in December 1963, and the Porquerolles Island was added in FIRST INTERNATIONAL HIKING FESTIVAL 1971 in an attempt to protect it from urban development. The Park's mar- itime zone extends approximately 2,000 feet around the coast, allowing for a The world's first international hiking festival took place from May 3 to May 8 in Val variety of underwater activities. Port Cros is well known for its wildlife, d'Azun, in the southwestern region of the Pyrénées (the second largest mountain including 177 different species of birds and 70 different types of fish. range in France after the Alps). "Eldorando" featured several hiking tours for all lev- els, but also festivities in the evening, as well as debates and presentations on the Aside from its captivating natural attractions, Port Cros also has a vibrant environment and sustainable development. This festival will be moving to other cultural history. The rolling hills set a perfect backdrop for the many fortress- areas in the region in the future. Special guests this year included delegations from es that remain in the park, such as Fort de Moulin, which dates back to Francis countries that are popular destinations for hikers, such as Mongolia, Mali, I in 1531. Nearly 400 years later, in 1921, nature enthusiasts and philan- Mauritania, Romania and Nepal. For more information, visit www.eldorando.com. Pink Flamingoes and White Horses in Camargue

S WELL AS ITS SEVEN NATIONAL PARKS, France has estab- protects the Camargue horse and the native bulls, lished 44 regional parks, which though less strictly protected (they are "bouvines." Breeders of the horses, known as "man- Ausually partially inhabited) still do much to prevent overdevelopment. adiers" (ranchers) or "gardians" (cowboys) use the One of the most noteworthy regional parks is that of Camargue. Established in horses to herd the wild bulls. Both the horses and 1970, it is known for its beautiful landscapes along the Mediterranean Sea, the bulls have greatly affected the cultural develop- flamingoes that inhabit its delta, and the famous black bulls and white Camargue ment and traditions of the region. The landscape, horses that have provided a livelihood for many of the region's inhabitants. for instance, is spotted with "cabanes," the long and Pink flamingo in Camargue Camargue is located in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region and is surrounded low houses of the manadiers. The historic Camargue bull fights, known as "courses by water on three sides—the petit Rhône and Canal of Péccais to the West, the à la cocarde," were developed centuries ago and challenge men to retrieve colored grand Rhône to the East, and the Mediterranean to the South. Camargue, home to ribbons from the horns of the wild animals. Camargue is also famous for the year- over 12,000 breeding pairs of pink flamingoes, is one of the few places along the ly pilgrimage of the gypsy population to Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer. 4 Mediterranean where the fascinating long-legged birds can be found. The park also For more information, visit www.parc-camargue.fr. l l PERNOD RICARD ACQUIRES LEADING LIQUOR BRANDS Economic News Britain's Allied Domecq recently agreed to TECHNOLOGIE a friendly takeover by France's Pernod Ricard and its U.S. partner, Fortune Brands. The deal, likely to be worth more than $13 billion, will give the French com- pany control over 20 of the top 100 liquor New Stock Market for Small Businesses brands in the world, and will catapult it to the number two position in the wine and URONEXT, one of Europe's leading cross-border with rules on investor disclosure and the control of financial liquor market, after the British giant stock exchanges, has announced the creation of information. "The creation of Alternext meets the needs of an Diageo. In particular, the deal will double Alternext, a market tailor-made for small and mid- entire community of interests, comprising issuers, investors, Pernod Ricard's size in the U.S. market. A sized companies. These companies play a vital role in venture capitalists and financial intermediaries" Martine number of historic Scotch whiskeys will tEhe European economy, but only a small percentage of them are Charbonnier, Euronext's executive director of listing, said. come under French ownership, including publicly traded. As the euro zone's leading exchange, Euronext The launch of Alternext is the final stage in the overhaul Ballantine's, Teacher's and Laphroaig, as is once again leading the way to help these companies grow at of the listing arrangements for all Euronext regulated mar- well as the well-known gin Beefeater, and a time when European Union regulations are imposing kets. The market will gradually cover the entire euro zone, the spirits Xalhua and Malibu. tougher requirements on regulated markets. keeping pace with the harmonization of E.U. regulations. Alternext will provide an innovative solution well suited to Alternext will officially open for business on May 17 with ESA ROBOT PREVENTS LANDSLIDES mid-sized companies seeking to finance growth and gain access the listing of MeilleurTaux. Around ten more listings are The European Space Agency's technology to capital markets. It is an exchange-regulated market that slated to follow between mid- transfer program has just developed a offers small and mid-sized companies from every sector of the May and mid-July. robot that is capable of securing unsta- economy simplified access to financial markets and stream- For more information, please ble rock walls, thereby preventing land- lined listing requirements. Alternext also ensures compliance visit www.euronext.com. l l slides. Roboclimber is a four-ton robot capable of scaling vertical surfaces, drilling 20-meter holes into rock walls and then inserting rods into the holes to Sneak Preview of Future at Cannes TV Fair stabilize the rock face. The robot was successfully tested in Italy on January 12. The MIPTVfair mixed digital technology and humanitarian action Its large-scale deployment would save an estimated 75,000 euros per landslide front, as well as prevent the loss of hun- HE SOUTHERN CITY OF CANNES hosted the choose from, ranging from blue-chip documentaries, kids' dreds of lives and billions of euros in dam- 42nd International Television programming fair shows, the latest reality formats, and TV miniseries. The age that result every year from landslides. Tfrom April 11 to 15. This five-day extravaganza, comeback of documentaries, the unveiling of TV-capable called "MIPTV Featuring MILIA," serves mobile phone technology, and the digital FRANCE TELECOM TO OFFER as a television program trade fair as well and audiovisual prowess of Asian coun- EDGE TECHNOLOGY as a showcase to unveil new media tech- tries, especially South Korea, constituted Orange, a subsidiary of France Telecom, nologies. The show's new name under- the fair's highlights. announced on April 8 that it will be con- lines the ongoing fusion of television In addition to welcoming over 11,400 verting its lower-quality mobile network to EDGE, a high-speed data technology. and digital technology. In previous years, top TV, video, cable, satellite, and digital hi- EDGE (Enhanced Data for Global MILIA, the audiovisual entertainment tech executives and program buyers, MIPTV Evolution) will allow Orange's subscribers fair, was distinct from MIPTV, the show- also hosted U.N. Secretary General Kofi to access the Internet and even television case for the latest digital entertainment technologies. Annan and former U.S. president Bill Clinton. Both were present programming much faster than current As an indication of the convergence of the digital and to encourage international media firms to unite against the spread technology. Although EDGE can- media industries, buyers previewed programs on a fully dig- of AIDS. A meeting between U.N. officials and several executives not carry as much data as 3G italized screening system that eliminated the long queues for of these firms resulted in an agreement to exchange copyright- technology, it can provide data at videocassettes in years past. Viewers had a huge selection to free audiovisual programs about AIDS prevention. l l a speed comparable to that of 3G and less expensively. EDGE technology will be available to the public this summer. Frenchmen Defend Unpasteurized Cheeses CAISSES D'EPARGNE OFFERS INTEREST N A COUNTRY WITH NEARLY 400 different varieties entitled Cuisiner les Fromages Caisses d'Epargne, a French of cheese, an association is fighting to save certain kinds in ("Cooking with Cheese"). banking corporation, will be the Idanger of extinction. On the occasion of the fourth edition Others remain more opti- first to offer interest on check- of its National Cheese Day on April 8, the Association Fromages mistic, however. Cheese-maker ing accounts now that doing so de Terroirs called attention to the irreversible disappearance of Philippe Olivier said, "For the has become legal in France. The several traditional unpasteurized varieties of cheese. According past two to three years, young people have been moving here to bank is offering a minimum to Véronique Richez-Lerouge, president of the Association, "In save these cheeses, young farmers of 30 with ethics, who pro- interest rate of 0.5 percent for all checking accounts under 30 years, more than 50 cheeses have been struck off the menus duce while respecting the environment, who make a lifestyle 2,500 euros, with higher rates as the proportion of industrial cheeses continues to grow while choice by choosing to become producers… . And at the same for larger amounts. In an cheeses made from unpasteurized milk only represent seven time, there have never been so many young people registered at already competitive market, this percent of our consumption." the cheese school in Paris." According to Sylvain Gaudu, head is sure to cause other banks to More than half of the cheeses which receive a quality rating of Lafayette Gourmet, "We have to explain that cheese is a won- follow suit and intensify compe- today in France are made from pasteurized milk. "You can't derful product, and not something harmful. We have to defend tition. According to Finance expect small producers to have the same standards as big cheese French heritage and safeguard those products with real taste." Minister , "It's a manufacturers. We have to find a proper compromise," explained For more information, visit the National Cheese Day’s Web very good initiative and excel- lent news for consumers." Guy Martin, a Michelin three-star chef who has published a book site, www.journeenationaledufromage.com. l l 5 Social News FRANCE BECOMING SOCIETÉ MORE URBANIZED According to a study conducted by the French Institute on the Environment (IFEN), and based on satellite photos A Citizenship Guide for Immigrants obtained through the Corine Land Cover European research program, urbanization ELLY OLIN, France's minister delegate for integra- from free, state-provided French-language and civic classes in France has progressed 4.8 percent from tion, introduced on April 11 a "Guide to the Rights that specify, for instance, that polygamy, forced marriage, 1990 to 2000. Rural areas still represent and Duties of French Citizens." This initiative fol- and female circumcision are illegal in France. 59 percent of the land in France, forests lows the reform enact- The booklet will pro- 26 percent and aquatic zones 10 percent, Ned on November 2003 by then vide additional informa- with urban zones making up the remain- interior minister Nicolas tion about the organiza- ing 5 percent. Indeed, France remains a deeply agricultur- Sarkozy, which stipulates tion of political and al society with large rural that anyone wanting to administrative powers in expanses, especially acquire French citi- France and about core compared with other, zenship must be suffi- national principles, such as more densely populat- ciently knowledge- liberty, equality and frater- ed countries in Europe, able about the French nity (France's motto) and such as Belgium and language and the fun- secularism. In this way, it is the . This damental principles of hoped candidates for increased urbanization can the French Republic. French citizenship will be attributed to accelerating Starting June 1st, applicants for French citizenship will assimilate the principles and values of the Republic, thereby business development, with France's most dynamic urban corridors following the receive the free guide, which they can study to prepare for facilitating their integration into French society. north and southeast routes of the TGV the civic exam that will now be an integral part of the natu- In 2004, 99,368 immigrants were granted French citizen- (France's high speed train) as well as the ralization process. Legal immigrants can already benefit ship, up from 64,081 in 1992. l l Brittany and Mediterranean coastlines. IFEN hopes its study will encourage the government to take additional measures to ensure "the maintenance of biodiversi- New Electronic I.D. Cards Launched ty, the quality of the countryside and the RIME MINISTER Jean-Pierre Raffarin approved on will be increased a little. And there'll be a fee for the identity preservation of the ecosystem." April 11 the Interior Ministry's project to create a new card: that's the price of security," explained Villepin. l l RIGHT TO DIE LEGISLATION Pnational electronic identity card. Last month, Interior The French Parliament passed on April Minister outlined his plan to replace STRAWBERRIES REPLACE POPCORN 13 "right to die" legislation that grants the identity cards and passports offered to French citizens terminallyill patients the right to deny with new ones that will carry a microchip containing digi- themselves further medical treatment. tized photographs and fingerprints. Such biometric security The law also stipulates that medical acts measures will later be extended to other I.D. documents, must not be pursued in an unreasonably such as driver's licenses and social security cards. Currently obstinate manner. While the law still the plan is to introduce the new passports in 2006, and the rejects euthanasia, a physician can now identity cards a year later. administer pain-relieving drugs to patients even if these may accelerate Villepin has called the new cards "necessary to defend death. The debate gained momentum in France's borders and citizens." Although owning a national recent years after the mother identity card ceased to be compulsory in 1955, he stated that in of Frenchman Vincent order for the system to be effective in terms of security, the Humbart that patients deserve identity card should become compulsory within a relatively A producers' association in the southern city of Nîmes has the right to die with dignity. short period of time. Unfortunately for citizens who have not decided to promote its members' strawberries by distrib- had to pay for national identity cards since 1998, the new, more uting them to those waiting in line at the local indepen- FRENCH STUDENT expensive cards will no longer be free. "The price of passports dent movie theater. The particular variety of strawberry ROOTS OUT being distributed is called the "gariguette," recognizable WORLD RECORD by its elongated shape and juicy taste. According to Frenchman Alexis Lemaire, 24, Vanessa Molina from the Strawberry Producers set a world record on April 6 Administrative Services Association of Nîmes, "the audiences that come to this by becoming the fastest per- type of cinema generally have a very high standard of son in the world to figure out Get Thumbs Up quality. That is why we have chosen to better acquaint the 13th root of a 200-digit them with the gariguette, a variety of strawberry that is number in his head, without T WOULD SEEM THAT, overall, the vast majority of more sophisticated and also more expensive." This pro- even using a pencil and paper. French citizens are highly satisfied with the range of nation- motional undertaking also includes 50 local restaurants, Lemaire, whose feat was wit- al services the government provides. Indeed, over 71 per- which are offering dishes featuring gariguettes, several nessed by a mathematician I cent of the French are satisfied with the administration of gov- hotels, which are including them in their breakfast menus, and two bailiffs, described the ernment services, according to a recent survey conducted by and a free sampling at the city's tourism office. task as "the most difficult Paul-Louvrier / BVA and radio channel France Inter. Health mental arithmetic challenge in history." The computer science care services were among the most highly appreciated, receiv- faction ratings, came in at over 51 percent. All of these essen- student took 8 minutes and 30 ing a favorable rating by 85 percent of respondents. The tial government services have posted a marked increase in sat- seconds to reach the 16-figure national education system was close behind, receiving an isfaction levels over the past year, rising on average by over 12 answer, making him the men- approval rating of 78 percent, followed by the law enforce- percent. This increase in satisfaction rates suggests the govern- tal arithmetic world champion. ment sectors, which won a 69 percent approval rating. Even ment's attempts to improve public services while keeping His next self-appointed task: to the justice and employment services, which had lower satis- costs under control are proving successful. l l learn 40 languages! 6 les coups d’oeil Cultural Highlights CULTURE NEW AIR FRANCE UNIFORMS Air France revealed a new line of uni- forms for its 36,000 employees specially created by haute couture New Home for Mona Lisa designer Christian Lacroix. This The Louvre’s crown jewel is now displayed in a larger, better lit and more secure room is the first uniform change for Air France in over 17 years. Air France President Jean-Cyril HE MONA LISA, Leonardo da Vinci's chef-d'oeuvre, crowd circulation. Two windows were Spinetta announced; "In a way has once again moved rooms within the Louvre. After reopened in the room and a sky light was Air France and haute couture four years of waiting for renovations to be completed, added to illuminate the walls as well as the inhabit the same universe—a the Mona Lisa has moved from the Salle Rosa to the center of the room. The renovations, which world where tradition and tech- T Salle des Etats, unofficially cost about 4.81 million euros, were funded by nology intermingle, and where renamed the Salle de la the Japanese television company Nippon the aim is to diffuse and per- Joconde after the French Television Network. petuate a certain French style of name for the painting. The In April 2004, the Louvre released an official statement say- living." The new uniforms consist of over 100 items which are interchange- new location also houses the ing that the poplar panel on which the Mona Lisa was painted able and can be mixed and matched. Louvre's largest painting, showed "a greater amount of warping than previously noted." Véronèse's The Marriage at It added that the museum would take advantage of the move SYLVIE VARTAN NAMED Cana (6.77 x 9.94 m), which to launch "a detailed scientific and technical study of the AMBASSADOR TO WHO is displayed across the room Joconde, whose present state of conservation raises several con- French singer Sylvie Vartan was named from the Mona Lisa. The two cerns" (see NFF 04.06). These concerns were alleviated during the World Health Organization's "good- masterpieces are surrounded the painting's presentation to the press on April 5, when muse- will ambassador" on April 11, a position by other works of 16th-cen- um curator Cécile Scaillierez reassured reporters that "the which will help to promote child care in tury Venetian art which will painting is doing very well, although it is very fragile." l l eastern Europe. Vartan, of Bulgarian now benefit from the more decent, has already achieved great suc- cess with her work in Bulgarian children's than 20,000 daily visitors (6.6 NEW ROOMS IN VERSAILLES OPEN TO PUBLIC institutions. Since 1991, her organization, million in 2004) that the Mona Lisa brings to the museum. Members of the French National Assembly voted unani- "Sylvie Vartan," has been providing med- Since the Mona Lisa's debut in the Louvre in 1798, the mously April 7 in favor of a law transferring to the public the ical equipment and humanitarian aid for painting has been moved a total of seven times. Its new place- sections of the Chateau de Versailles reserved for the French Bulgarian hospitals and orphanages with ment allows for better protection, better lighting, and better parliament. The transfer consists of 26,000 square meters a central focus on care for newborns. and about 60 offices, including ones for the presidents of the Assembly and the Senate. The proposal was made by PICASSO PAINTING RECOVERED the president of the Assembly, Jean-Louis Debré, who has French Police recently recovered a miss- Cannes Selection Announced never made use of his office in Versailles. The French minis- ing painting by Pablo Picasso. The paint- ter of culture, Renaud Donnedieu de Vabres, cited this as ing entitled Nature Morte à la Charlotte, Several American films will be competing for the "an historic opportunity to reunify Versailles, the most a cubist work completed in 1924, was emblematic monument of our national heritage." The discovered in a private residence in the Festival’s prestigious Palme d’Or transfer must also be submitted to the Senate for confirma- Paris suburb of Antony. The work was tion and will most likely take three to four years to complete. discovered as a result of an anonymous HE ORGANIZERS of the 58th Cannes International tip which led authorities to uncover the Film Festival announced on April 19 the films that will painting discreetly hidden behind a Tbe showing from May 11 to 22 (53 were chosen out of wardrobe. Valued at $3.2 million, the a total of 1,500!). Unlike the previous year's line-up, the new Picasso painting was returned list has many films from returning, celebrated directors, to the George Pompidou including Hou Hsiao-hsien (The Best of Our Times), Jim Center just in time to commem- Jarmusch (Broken Flowers, starring Bill Murray), Lars Von orate the 32nd anniversary of the painter's death on April 8th. Trier (Manderlay), Gus Van Sant (Last Days) and David Cronenberg (A History of Violence). Also different from last FRENCHMAN BUYS year is the absence of controversial films like Michael Moore's BOLLYWOOD RIGHTS Fahrenheit 911. Two returning favorites, Mexican director Frenchman Achille Forler pur- chased the rights to 25,200 AGA KHAN RESTORES FRENCH CHATEAU Bollywood songs and movies to guarantee that Indian com- The Chantilly Chateau, home to France's second most Nicole Kidman makes an impression posers and songwriters receive important art collection, has been rescued by its neighbor, during the 56th Cannes Festival (May 2003) the Aga Khan. The Aga Khan, the billionaire leader of the their due royalties. "Bollywood world's 15 million Shia Ismaili Muslims, has donated 40 mil- Carlos Reygadas and Italian director Marco Tullio Giordana, does not know that such rights exist in the world," Forler said. lion euros ($52 million) to be used for repairs. His donation will be showing their respective films, Battle in Heaven, about His company, Deep Emotions will go a long way toward contributing to the chateau's a thwarted kidnapping and Once You're Born You Can No Publishing, spent $3 million to restoration, which is expected to cost at least 70 million Longer Hide, a coming-of-age story. The Three Burials of euros ($91 million). The Chantilly Chateau, located an hour obtain the rights, and it now Melquiades Estrada, directed by and starring Tommy Lee from Paris, houses 6,000 works of art, including three by owns some of the most popular Jones, is probably the most unexpected choice in the Cannes Raphael. It is the only museum other than the Louvre to songs and movies from have three paintings by the Renaissance's unequaled Italian selection. Other featured films include Atom Egoyan's Where Bollywood, the world's largest master. The chateau's last owner, Henri d'Orléans, the Truth Lies, Michael Haneke's Caché (Hidden), Johnnie To's producer of films. Forler has bequeathed the chateau, 7,800 hectares of land, the art col- Election, Wim Wenders's Don't Come Knocking, and Frank already helped composer lection and over 30,000 books, upon his death, on the con- Miller's Sin City. The jury which will select the winning film Shubha Mudgal retrieve royalties dition that it be open to the public. will be presided over by Emir Kusturica. l l for the use of her songs(origi- nally composed for "Kama Sutra") in "MonsoonWedding." 7 in brief France in America CHEZ NOUS "Lyon via Houston," a cultural week featuring renowned artists, dancers, CHANEL EXHIBITIN NEW YORK musicians, and writers from Lyon, was hosted by the French Consulate of New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art is holding an exposition highlighting the Houston and the Texas-French Alliance impact of La Maison de Haute Culture (The House of Chanel) on the fashion world dur- for the Arts from April 21 to 29. The ing the 20th century. The exhibit, which will run through August 7, recognizes Gabrielle Texas-French Alliance was created last "Coco" Chanel's inventive designs, designs that have shaped the image of the modern January with the support of French woman. Harold Koda, curator in charge of the Costume Institute, says "the work of Ambassador Jean-David Levitte, and has Gabrielle Chanel, with its acknowledgment of the realities of women in the 20th cen- already launched a series of initiatives A scene from the “Petite fabrique de tury, was an elegantly conceptualized modernism." meant to promote French-Texan cultural pingouins” (“The Little Penguin Born in Saumur, France, "Coco" Chanel (1883-1971) grew up in an orphanage before relations. For more information, visit Factory”) by the Turak puppet troupe, becoming a part of elite social circles that included influential politicians and aristocrats. She www.consulfrance-houston.org. which performed in Houston. started by making dresses but soon set herself apart from her contemporaries by combin- ing a variety of styles and personal influences to create innovative and masterful designs. The museum will display 50 designs and accessories from the House of Chanel's News from FRANCE archives as well as items held by other international institutions such as the Victoria and Soulages Albert Museum in London. The thematic and biographical presentation spans different EDITOR-IN-CHIEF time periods displaying a variety of elements of Chanel's designs within each. Included Nathalie Loiseau Makes a U.S. in the exposition are the creations of Karl Lagerfeld, who joined the Chanel house in 1983 and who is now the artistic director of the company. EDITOR Encore For more information, please visit www.metmuseum.org. Emmanuel Gagniarre

MANAGING EDITOR ROM MAY 5 TO JUNE 11, the Robert Miller Gallery birthplace. The prehistoric and Romanesque influences in Aveyron Amaury Laporte in New York City will host the first solo exhibit since the have certainly inspired Soulages's paintings. His work, characterized 1970s of French abstract by his assured, long brush strokes, SENIOR WRITERS painter Pierre Soulages in indulges in the use of the color black Hollice Fisher, Carine Morin, Ashley Santner, Alcora Walden Fthe United States. Born December and other dark tones. His paintings 24, 1919, in Rodez, France, Soulages were first qualified as Black-Light WRITERS is considered one of the foremost works, before Soulages developed Sarah Cochran, Céline Dailly, Kiernan Doherty, Andrew Dunn, Caroline Pang, contemporary French artists. His the concept of Outrenoir, "beyond Elise Rubin, Elise Yakuboff paintings have been shown in many black," to designate another sphere famous galleries throughout the of color where light is transmuted To change your address, subscribe (for world, including the Centre free) or unsubscribe, please contact: from black. According to Soulages, NEWS FROM FRANCE Georges Pompidou in Paris, the "we don't know the why of the FRENCH EMBASSY PRESS & Tate Gallery in London, and the choices we make. When I know why INFORMATION SERVICE 4101 Reservoir Road, NW Museum of Modern Art in New I like a thing, I already like it a little Washington, DC 20007-2182 York. His work can be seen in 25 less. A work is interesting in the Tel: (202) 944-6060 different countries, ranging from degree to which it escapes its cre- Fax: (202) 944-6072 E-mail: South Africa to Mexico. ator's intentions and the spectator's [email protected] In 1994, Soulages received interpretations." http://www.ambafrance-us.org acclaim for his work of 95 stained- For more information, please http://www.france.diplomatie.fr glass windows at the Saint Foy Peinture, February 15 2005 (162 x 181 cm) visit the gallery's Web site at the abbey-church in the French department of Aveyron, his childhood following address: www.robertmillergallery.com. l l

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