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http://www.ambafrance-us.org http://www.france.diplomatie.fr VOL. 06.07 JUNE 21, 2006 A free triweekly review of French news & trends Online at: www.ambafrance-us.org/publi High-Level Meeting at the U.N. on HIV/AIDS INSIDE 2 L’événement ROM May 31 to June 2, 2006, the international communi- countries with new resources to better sustain their public Franco-Israeli ty joined together at the United Nations General Assembly health care programs. Relations Celebrated F High-Level Meeting on AIDS in New York to increase France will be the first to start applying an air-ticket con- 3 France-Amérique global cooperation in the combat against the destructive tribution on July 1, 2006. The law passed by Parliament on American Journalist pandemic. French Minister of December 22, 2005 sets Awarded Legion of Foreign Affairs, Philippe Douste- out the following rate Blazy, delivered a message on behalf caps for all flights Honor of President Jacques Chirac, urging departing from the 4 Profil leaders to increase resources, French territory: 1 euro French Cultural strengthen coordination between (approximately $1.25) in Heritage in U.S. bilateral and multilateral donors, e economy class and 10 improve health care in impover- euros ($12) in first and 5 Économie / Science ished nations, and to continue business class for domestic Eco-labels for Cars . de la Mur research to discover an HIV vacci- and intra-European flights 6 Société nation. These necessary initiatives (European Economic Area), Da Vinci Code’s should improve poor nations' 4 euros ($5.00) and 40 euros Impact on Tourism access to effective treatments and ($50.00) on other flights, represent a step forward in the fight © M.A.E. / photo: F depending upon the 7 Culture Kofi Annan and Philippe Douste-Blazy at U.N. meeting against the pandemic. travel class. This mecha- Bikini Turns 60 Another notable event on AIDS was the launching of the nism is expected to generate revenue of up to $ 250 million per 8 Chez nous International Drug Purchase Facility (UNITAID/IDPF) founded year. Niki de Saint Phalle by France, Brazil, Chile and Norway. As an active member of the U.N., France has already signifi- UNITAID/IDPF will be financed through a solidarity levy on cantly contributed to the fight against the pandemic. For Expo in Atlanta airline tickets, which is a simple, equitable, and economically instance, in 2006 and 2007, France is the first largest contributor neutral tool. It will guarantee long-term predictable revenues for to the Global Fund, an important Institution in this fight, donat- the purchase of drugs and will also aim at reducing prices. ing 525 million euros ($656.25) over those two years. Through market mechanisms, UNITAID/IDPF will, in particu- On June 2, France, Brazil, Chile and Norway signed an agree- AMBASSADE DE FRANCE lar, negotiate multi-year large-volume purchasing programs with ment with FIFA, the Football World Cup organization, to help AUX ETATS-UNIS the pharmaceutical companies. It will also provide developing build AIDS public awareness during the World Cup. l l France Quick to Send Aid to Indonesia RENCH authorities humanitarian aid from France landed in Solo,Indonesia on May 28 and provided humanitar- arrived only one day after Indonesian officials made an appeal for interna- Fian assistance and tional assistance. The plane carried water tanks, hygiene kits, food and medical personnel to 1,000 kitchen kits among its 40 tons of equipment. Indonesia immediately French officials immediately announced that more aid would be sent to after an earthquake that the island May 30, beginning with two surgical teams, who joined the hit Java May 27. The 5.9 emergency teams already at Klaten Hospital on the outskirts of Yogyakarta. magnitude earthquake The Klaten district, more than 20 miles from the earthquake's epicenter, June 21, 2006 devastated the small, was hit especially hard. / Southeast Asian island, France also sent a plane with 40 rescue workers and five tons of e leaving nearly 5,800 dead humanitarian aid on May 29, and the European Union has pledged $3.8 and 33,000 injured. million toward the relief effort, which is estimated to cost up to $3.1 bil- Estimates of those left lion, according to Indonesian Minister of Development, Paskah Suzetta. de la Mur homeless range from Since foreign aid began flowing into the tiny island, the health care sit- 250,000 to 600,000, uation has improved dramatically, according to U.N. officials. There has according to the United been a considerable reduction of the number of hospital patients and a Nations. notable improvement in the distribution of emergency supplies. The relief © M.A.E. / photo: F Humanitarian supplies being loaded for The first cargo plane efforts are now focused on vaccinating the survivors from tetanus and Indonesia carrying a large amount of measles, and providing housing to those left homeless. l l NEWS FROM FRANCE 1 En bref current events FRENCH-AMERICAN MILITARY L ’ÉVÉNEMENT COOPERATION The French Navy Carrier Air Wing rejoined the coalition efforts in Franco-Israeli Relations Celebrated support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan May 9, RENCH Foreign Minister Philippe Douste-Blazy, nize Israel and her right quite simply to exist. Nevertheless, we lending aid to ground troops and along with Israeli Foreign Affairs Minister,Tzipi Livni, think that Hamas' victory mustn't make us give up the goal of two assisting with reconnaissance F and hundreds of thousands of Israelis, watched as a states living side by side in peace and security. Also, every effort efforts. France hopes that this spectacular fireworks display over the Tel-Aviv Bay must be made to avert a humanitarian crisis in the Palestinian addition will enhance cooperation kicked off a summer-long celebration of French culture. Territories," Douste-Blazy stated. with countries in the Indian Ocean The May 16 extravaganza, which featured a Christian Lacroix Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert made an official visit to and the Asia-Pacific region, as well fashion show and the opening of an exhibit of white tents embla- France on June 14 and 15, 2006 where he met with President as facilitate an enduring military zoned with the word "peace," Jacques Chirac, Prime Minister Dominique de presence in Afghanistan. The marked the beginning of "Voila !" a Villepin, Foreign Minister Philippe Douste- French detachment of the three-month long celebration of e Blazy,Interior Minister Nicolas Sarkozy and Combined Air Operations Center French culture in Israel. The festival, Speakers of the French Parliament Christian (CAOC), commanded by Lt. Col. organized by l'Association Française Poncelet and Jean-Louis Debré. Mr.Olmert par- Gerard Brunel, plays an important . de la Mur d'Action Artistique and the ticipated in the inauguration of the Alley of the role in coordinating France's air- embassies of both countries, in Righteous Gentiles at the Memorial de la Shoah power contribution and ultimately ensures the effectiveness of their cooperation with several Israeli with the prime minister and mayor of Paris. partners including the cities of Tel © MAE/ Photo: F Mr.Olmert's first official visit to France since support of Operation Enduring Minister Olmert and President Chirac Freedom. The military actions of Aviv, Jerusalem and Haifa, will fea- his election comes in the context of the high- the French Navy Carrier Air Wing ture events that celebrate France and Israel's cultural ties. The cel- level meetings that have been a feature of relations between have been welcomed by the United ebration will include work from contemporary French artists, France and Israel since the state visit to Paris by President States, which has expressed its filmmakers, musicians, intellectuals and writers. Katsav in February 2004, the visit by former Prime Minister appreciation for the return of its The event also served as a kickoff for Douste-Blazy's two-day Ariel Sharon in July 2005 and the inauguration of the ally to the CAOC. U.S. Air Force diplomatic trip to Israel, where he met with new Israeli Prime French "cultural season" in Tel Aviv by Foreign Minister major general Allen Peck, deputy Minister Ehud Olmert and Livni on May 17. "The discussions Philippe Douste-Blazy.It reaffirms the deep friendship we've just had naturally focused on the situation created by the between France and Israel and the French and Israeli peo- Hamas-led government in the Palestinian Territories. We want to ples. The visit also reflects the wish of both countries to create the conditions for a dialogue with the Palestinian govern- pursue dialogue on questions of common interest, whether in ment. It's clearly up to the Hamas leaders to shift their stance and regard to bilateral relations, developments in the Middle East or give clear signals that they're ready to renounce violence, recog- the large issues of peace and international security. l l Second Annual National Humanitarian Fair RIGITTE Girardin, the Delegate Minister for Cooperation, careers had the unique opportunity to network with potential French Mirage Fighter Jet © Ministry of Defense Development, and French-Speaking Countries kicked off future employers. Bthe Second Annual National Humanitarian Fair on May The fair featured a rich program. Each day,ten round tables Combined Force Air Component 18 in St. Martin de Cergy-Pontoise, just outside of Paris. In her and panel discussions focused on areas of the world in need of commander, observed opening remarks, Girardin emphasized the necessity for inter- help as well as strategies for