News from France

Home , Cabinet (cigarette), Catherine Colonna, Dominique Perben, Michel Hollard

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VOL. 04.06 MAY19, 2004

A triweekly review of French news and trends Online at: www.ambafrance-us.org/publi/nff/index.pdf Blair and Schroeder in Paris, Meet Chirac INSIDE The three European leaders discussed Europe and reacted to the situation in Iraq 2 L’événement RITISH PRIME MINISTER Tony Blair traveled to Paris E.U. bid, to Iraq, climate change and sustainable development. In par- French Resistance on May 9 to hold talks with Jacques Chirac. The French ticular, they expressed their faith in the newly expanded E.U., and said Hero Honored president also welcomed German Chancellor Gerhard that Turkey would eventually join the bloc as well. Acknowledging 3 France-Amérique Schroeder four days later. that the process of integrating Villepin &Perben in IBn both cases, Europe was at the top Turkey into Europe will be long and Washington D.C. of their agendas. Blair's visit came as difficult, Chirac insisted, with Blair France and Britain are celebrating by his side, that "it will happen and it 4 Profil the 100th anniversary of the Entente is desirable for it to happen." Chirac D-Day Remembered Cordiale, the agreement that ended pointed out that Ankara has made Économie / Science the two nations' historic rivalry and important strides toward fulfilling 5 opened an unprecedented era of the political and economic criteria First Meeting of the cross-Channel friendship and for E.U. membership. Competitiveness Council exchanges. The meeting also coin- Chirac, Blair and Schroeder were 6 Société cided with Europe Day: on May 9, confident that a final draft of the New Social Priorities 1950, the first move was made E.U. constitution would be ready for toward the formation of the the mid-June summit of the Union's 7 Culture European Union when French British Prime Minister Tony Blair and leaders. "If we don't reach an agree- Modern Dance Festival Foreign Minister Robert Schuman French President Jacques Chirac speaking to students. ment on the constitution, we risk (Courtesy:French Presidency photographic service / C. Campagne) 8 Chez nous proposed the creation of an orga- creating a Europe that is paralyzed," Paris &Japan Art nized Europe. Schroeder went to Paris with most of his cabinet for the Chirac warned. Chirac and Blair also highlighted the importance of Exhibit in Hawaii 3rd joint meeting with their French counterparts since January 22, E.U.-U.S. relations as well as the substantial headway that Europe has 2003, which marked the 40th anniversary of the Elysée Treaty. made at the foreign policy level. The two leaders stressed that, "Europe Blair and Chirac answered questions from some 400 French and now speaks with a single voice in all major international negotiations, British students who had been invited to the Elysée Palace. In a friend- which is extremely important and innovative." (For more informa- ly atmosphere, the two leaders tackled issues ranging tion on the enlargement of from the proposed European constitution and Turkey's Continued on page 2 AMBASSADE DE FRANCE AUX ETATS-UNIS

FRANCEWELCOMESENLARGEMENT French Minister delegate for the Interior Jean- The May 1 enlargement François Copé speaking to the Congress of the of the European Union American Jewish Committee (see article on page 3) from 15 to 25 countries (Courtesy: American Jewish Committee) was met with celebrations across France, to mark what President U.S. Awards Medal Jacques Chirac called "a great day for Europe." In Paris, citizens of Cyprus, Malta, the Czech of Freedom to Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia, and Slovenia (the new members) French WW2 Heroine were offered free 70–minute boat rides on the Seine's bateaux mouches, and a vast picnic was N 80–year–old French grandmother was held at the foot of the Eiffel Tower. The Maison awarded the Medal of Freedom by the United des Cultures du Monde (the World Cultural AStates of America almost 60 years after the ernment informing her of her distinction. After years House) hosted a concert marathon, during which medal was initially meant to be administered. without response, her file became lost. groups from each of the new member countries A teenage heroine who, along with her parents, Thanks to a British colonel in retirement, the sit- introduced Parisians to their countries' current aided and often sheltered downed Allied pilots during uation was once again brought to light. This time a music trends. The French Post Office unveiled a World War II, Odette Peyrot-Bouchard and her parents spunky lady filled with life, Peyrot-Bouchard new stamp, called "Enlargement," whose design were eventually captured by the Nazis and sent to a responded to the announcement enthusiastically. includes a map of Europe and the flags of all the E.U.'s members, and France Telecom offered an concentration camp. Both of her parents died while in In a moving ceremony, United States Ambassador hour of free phone calls to any of the new mem- Nazi confinement, but Odette survived the horrific to Switzerland Pamela Willeford decorated Peyrot- ber countries. Strasbourg, home of the European ordeal and was rescued by Allied forces in April 1945. Bouchard on May 3 with the declaration, "It is an Parliament, celebrated with a massive fireworks Peyrot-Bouchard was chosen to receive the Medal understatement to say that Madame Peyrot-Bouchard display. The celebrations were bolstered by strong of Freedom at the end of the war on behalf of herself and her parents richly deserve this award." optimism in the future of the European project, and her deceased parents, but she lay too ill in a Swiss Peyrot-Bouchard's response? "I would do it with 62 percent of the French describing them- hospital to reply to the letter from the American gov- again if the occasion arose." l l selves as "Euro-optimists" in a recent poll. 1 En bref current events FRANCE TRAINS JORDANIAN L’ÉVÉNEMENT SPECIAL FORCES French Defense Minister Michèle Alliot-Marie announced on April 26 (continued from page 1) that France is aiding in the training of Blair and Schroeder in Paris Jordan's special forces. The French- Europe, please visit our Web site, www.ambafrance-us.org, and technocrats to form an interim government after the June 30 Jordanian collaboration is the result of click on "Bienvenue en Europe"). hand-over of sovereignty (this government would serve until France's conviction that "special forces In regards to Iraq, Chirac and Blair agreed on the need to the elections that are to take place in January 2005). Chirac are essential for security and essential for resolving conflicts," according to work together in the framework of explained that France, as a permanent Alliot-Marie. King Abdullah II of the United Nations to ensure a member of the U.N. Security Council, Jordan, who set up his country's spe- smooth political transition in Iraq, would of course fully participate in the cial forces, has called for a better and that, according to Chirac's elaboration of these plans. exchange of "techniques, information, spokeswoman Catherine Colonna, During a press conference with and capabilities" to aid his nation in "no matter what the difficulties or dif- Schroeder on May 13, at the con- the fight against terrorism. ferences in approach, the French and clusion of their joint cabinet meet- the British will work in good cooper- ing together, Chirac declared that GISCARD D'ESTAING JOINS CONSTITUTIONAL COUNCIL ation to contribute to the search for a the ill-treatment of Iraqi prisoners On April 27, former French President solution" to the crisis. "inspire in us horror and indigna- Valéry Giscard d'Estaing announced Chirac noted that "it's very urgent tion," as did the "inconceivable his intention to join the Constitutional to genuinely transfer—and to do so German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder act—which was broadcast on Council, France's equivalent of the unambiguously—sovereignty and and President Jacques Chirac in Paris many channels—, the beheading of U.S. Supreme Court. According to power to an authentically Iraqi (Courtesy:Foreign Ministry - F de La Mure) a young American yesterday." He French law, former French heads of authority that would be recognized as such by the Iraqi people." added, "We also noted, and totally approved of, the fact state have the right to take a seat on The French president added that the United Nations' special that our American friends condemned these acts and initi- the council, which, when petitioned, envoy to Iraq, Lakhdar Brahimi, reportedly intends to ask Iraqi ated procedures to punish them." l l pronounces itself on a law's constitu- tionality before it is even enacted. Giscard d'Estaing, 78, was elected WELCOME CARILLON FOR AIR FRANCE-KLM president in 1974 at the age of 48, which made him one of the youngest It's official! A global giant was born on May 5 when Air France France, and Rob Ruijter, KLM's presidents of the French Republic. took over the Dutch carrier KLM to create Europe's biggest airline chief financial officer, marked the in terms of passenger traffic and the world leader in terms of sales. occasion by jointly ringing the New FRANCE AND SINGAPORE Pierre-Henri Gourgeon, president and chief operating officer of Air York stock exchange's opening bell OPEN JOINT MILITARY RESEARCH CENTER as the firm's new ticker, "AKH," On April 28, France and Singapore traded there for the first time. opened a joint defense laboratory in Eurostar Train Named After The all-share takeover by Air Gif-sur-Yvette, France. The laboratory, France marked a major consolida- named SONDRA, will employ French Resistance Hero tion within the European air trans- researchers from both countries and port industry, part of a larger restructuring process driven by will concentrate on advanced electro- URING WORLD WAR deregulation, privatization and the arrival of competitive low- magnetics and radar. The partners II, Hitler positioned cost carriers. The takeover also led to Air France's de facto priva- involved in the new laboratory are deadly secret weapons in tization, as the French government now holds only 44.7 percent Supelec, a French university known for D its electrical and computer northwestern France with the of the company's shares. The carriers have forecast 600 million engineering programs, intention of wreaking such euros ($720 million) in annual long-term merger benefits. Onera, France's leading havoc on London that Britain In related news, Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin inaugu- aerospace research agency, would be forced to surrender. In rated the assembly line of the A380 super-jumbo on May 7 in the Defence Science and 1943, however, French resistance Toulouse. The A380, built by Airbus, will be the largest civilian Technology Agency of fighter Michel Hollard realized airliner in the sky when it takes flight in early 2005. The Airbus Singapore, and the National what the Nazis were planning factory is itself a breath-taking wonder: it measures 490 meters University of Singapore. Michel Hollard when he discovered the V1 rock- long by 250 wide and 46 high (539 by 275 by 50.6 yards). (Courtesy: www.michel- et launcher sites that were being FOREIGN hollard.com) MINISTRY'S prepared, and he became deter- BUDGET TO GROW mined to warn the Allies of the threat. The budget of France's In honor of Hollard's heroism, a Eurostar train linking Foreign Affairs Ministry will Paris to London was named after him on April 27. Hollard, be increased 2.52 percent who died in 1993, organized a network of about 100 resis- to 4.22 billion euros in tance agents and played a crucial role in informing the Allies 2004, despite planned of German movements in occupied France. His most budgetary cuts. According to a letter from President important accomplishment was the part he played in foiling Jacques Chirac to Prime the German rocket launcher project. By copying plans stolen Minister Jean-Pierre from a German engineer, Hollard was able to pass invaluable The Eurostar in the Gare du Nord, Paris. Raffarin, any money saved information on to British diplomats in Switzerland—infor- (Courtesy:Foreign Ministry) by cutting the ministry's mation which allowed Allied bombers to accurately target budget would be "out of and destroy most of the rocket launchers. destroyed, D-Day would probably have been canceled. In proportion with the politi- Hollard's bravery was not neglected by the Allies: British 1944, Hollard was arrested by the Gestapo, tortured and sent cal costs and the near irre- General Brian Horrocks hailed the French fighter as the "man to a concentration camp, though he escaped before arriving at versible damage that [such who saved London," and American General Dwight his destination. He was a recipient of the French Legion of cuts] would inflict on Eisenhower acknowledged that if the V1 rockets had not been Honor and the British Distinguished Service Order. l l 2 [France's] diplomatic tool." France & America SPECIAL D-DAY FARES ON AIR FRANCE To commemorate the 60th anniversary of D-Day, Air France is offering Villepin and Perben in D.C. U.S. veterans special fares between its U.S. hubs and Paris. Fares are $504 The two French government officials attended a G8 meeting of interior and justice ministers from the East coast, $604 from the Midwest and $704 from the West N MAY 11, ference that the eight countries had adopted three sets of coast (taxes not included). Veterans French Interior measures concerning the ability to "bring charges even before born before January 1, 1930, who Minister an attack has occurred," the use of techniques such as sur- wish to travel to France between June Dominique de veillance, infiltration and plea-bargaining, and the transmis- 1 and August 31 are eligible, as well OVillepin attended a meet- sion of intelligence to judicial institutions while preventing its as members of their immediate fami- lies traveling with them. For more ing of justice and interior public diffusion. information or to book your tickets, ministers from the G8 Perben noted that please call Air France's special D-Day countries in Washington, his law, the Perben promotion desk at 1-800-423-7422. D.C. During a press con- II Act of March 9, ference, he expressed has already imple- NBC AND UNIVERSAL concern regarding the mented these mea- TIE THE KNOT deteriorating interna- sures in France, On May 12, the merger of NBC and tional situation which, placing the coun- Vivendi Universal Entertainment was according to him, justi- Minister of the Interior try at the avant- finalized, giving birth to a new media fies a massive mobiliza- Dominique de Villepin during garde of the fight French Justice Minister giant. The group, which will henceforth tion by all the G8 coun- his press conference against terrorism. Dominique Perben (right) and be known as NBC Universal, is expected tries. The ministers from (Courtesy: Aida Senna) Asked about Ambassador Jean-David Levitte to report sales of more than $15 billion the world's eight largest industrialized countries met in the release of (Courtesy: Aida Senna) in 2005. Its business empire includes the Washington in order to work on better coordination between French detainees from Guantanamo Bay, Perben NBC, CNBC, MSNBC and USA networks, their intelligence and police services, and to find ways to expressed his confidence that the U.S. and France would as well as Universal film studios and several theme parks. Under the deal's terms, make public transportation more secure. reach an agreement in "a matter of a few weeks." French General Electric, NBC's parent company, French Minister of Justice Dominique Perben, who also magistrates would then consider whether to bring paid $3.65 billion for 80 percent of took part in the G8 meeting, confirmed during a press con- charges against the seven suspects. l l Vivendi Universal, and the remaining 20 percent will remain in the hands of France's Vivendi.

Copé Speaks to American Jewish Committee SCIENCES-PO LAUNCHES JOURNALISM SCHOOL The French minister delegate for the interior describes France’s steps against anti-Semitism WITH U.S. PARTNERS Paris's Institut d'Etudes Politiques, a pres- PEAKING TO THE CONGRESS of the American which calls for much higher penalties for racist and anti- tigious school of political science also Jewish Committee on May 6, French Minister Semitic acts; it set up a committee, the only one of its kind in known as Sciences-Po, will unveil a jour- SDelegate for the Interior Jean-François Copé reaf- Europe, that holds monthly meetings to discuss, identify, and nalism post-graduate program in the fall firmed France's steadfast determination in the fight against respond swiftly to anti-Semitic acts; and it will soon revamp of 2004. Its new journalism program will anti-Semitism. Placing his speech under the sign of June 6, school programs to reinforce the message that discrimination, be run in association with the Medill 1944, a date "particularly emblematic of the friendship and anti-Semitism in particular, are abhorrent (school visits School of Journalism in Chicago, between France and the United States," he noted that, just as to former concentration camps, for instance, will bring stu- as well as with New York's the Free French and the United States had forged a strong dents face-to-face with the horrors of the Shoah). Columbia University. Best known alliance to free Europe of the Nazi yoke, it was now necessary In related news, a major colloquium took place on May as a training ground for French for the two countries to combine their forces once more in 13 in Paris in order to foster a dialogue between the Jewish politicians, Sciences Po has sought to diversify its student the war against anti-Semitism. and Muslim communities of France. Parallels were drawn body and curriculum, in the He stated confidently that, as a result of the government's between the two religions, which share a common history, hope of attracting more foreign willingness to tackle the problem head-on, it has achieved a and participants concluded that it is critical to teach children students. series of key reforms. It passed the Lellouche Act (in 2002), early on about tolerance and religious history. l l NEMO FINDS BOX-OFFICE SUCCESS! Franco-American Business Ties Rock Solid Building on its initial success (see NFF 03.14), "Finding Nemo" OLLOWING THE FIRST MEETING of the Council eign investment in France, making the United States the was the biggest grossing movie on the Competitiveness of France (see page 5), Clara country's leading investor. in France during the year 2003, Gaymard, president of the French International Foreign investment in France generated 20 percent the first time in the past five F years that this distinction hasn't Investments Agency (AFII), held a press briefing on April 30 more jobs in 2003 than in 2002, and in 2002, France had gone to a French film. According during which she stressed the importance of the commercial already received more incoming foreign investment than to figures released on May 11, ties between France and the United States. According to any country except China. Gaymard explained that 7.5 million spectators watched Gaymard, "there are 3,000 French companies in the United France's appeal could be explained by the fact that "One, "Finding Nemo," placing it States, generating 700,000 direct jobs, and 2,400 U.S. compa- France is a high-tech country, a country of skills. Two, ahead of "Taxi 3" (a French nies in France generating 240,000 direct jobs." Asked whether France is not just a nice place to live in but also to work in." action movie), "Matrix disagreements over Iraq had had commercial repercussions, Dismissing stereotypes that are often bandied about in the Reloaded," and "Lord of the Gaymard replied that for CEOs, "political considerations press, Gaymard also noted that France has "the highest Rings: Return of the King." Of matter very little." Indeed, last year U.S. companies account- productivity rate in the world." the 12 top movies in France last year, eight were American. ed for 25 percent of the 27,335 new jobs resulting from for- For more information, please visit www.afii.fr. l l 3 In Depth Review PROFIL

DD-D-DAYAY RREMEMEMEMBBEERREDED War remnants on Normandy’s beaches A special thanks From June 4th to June 7th, France will celebrate the sixtieth anniversary of the D- serve as a powerful to Patrick Elie Day landings in Normandy and pay a warm tribute to the thousands of soldiers and reminder of the valor for providing us civilians who risked their lives to liberate France and Europe from the Nazi regime. shown by Allied soldiers. with all of the images on this Operation Overlord:: the Allied forces land page. Visit his website at: T THE CRACK OF DAWN on June 6, 1944, Allied troops landed on the evening of June 6, the beach-head secured at Omaha was barely 6juin1944.com beaches of Normandy and changed the course of history. Thousands of sol- two kilometers deep. Despite the difficult beginning, the Allies diers, mainly from the United States, Britain and Canada, landed on the were ultimately successful on Omaha Beach though the victory exacted a heavy price— Normandy coast in northwestern France. officially, over 1,000 soldiers were killed while 2,000 were wounded. AAt 6:30 A.M., the first At Pointe du Hoc, 225 U.S. Army Rangers rapidly scaled the cliff. The force was soon assault wave, comprised of surrounded by German troops; by the time troops from Omaha Beach arrived to aid an American infantry divi- them on June 8, only 90 were still able to fight. sion, landed on Utah Beach. Following heavy fighting, the British and Canadians landed 25,000 and 21,000 men On Omaha Beach, on Gold Beach and Juno Beach, respectively. another American force soon The 3rd British Division landed on Sword Beach, with the support of tanks and two discovered that the Germans brigades of Green Berets. Meanwhile, to the east, the 1st Special Service Brigade man- had covered the beach with aged to gain a foothold in Colleville before marching eastwards and attacking machine-gun nests, mortars, Ouistreham. Among its ranks were 177 French marines led by Lieutenant Philippe minefields and barbed wire. Under the punishing barrage of German fire, most of the Kieffer. From the opposite direction, the 4th Brigade was also able to make its way amphibious tanks were sunk, thus depriving the infantry of vital cover fire. By the inland, taking Lion-sur-Mer and Luc-sur-Mer. l l

AN INTERNATIONAL CEREMONY OF REMEMBRANCE Seventeen heads of state and government will attend the official international ceremony of remembrance on June 6, in Arromanches. French President Jacques Chirac and Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin will welcome American President George W. Bush, German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder, British Prime Minister Tony Blair and Queen Elizabeth II. Among other dignitaries, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Australian Prime Minister John Howard, Canadian Governor General Adrienne Clarkson and Prime Minister Paul Martin, Belgian King Albert II and Dutch Queen Beatrix will also be present. About 6,000 people have been invited to the 90-minute-long ceremony of remembrance, which will feature a show by 15 ships, 56 planes and 1,950 soldiers on the ground. Twenty thousand people have been invited to other ceremonies. Over 8,000 policemen will be in charge of providing security. St Laurent sur Mer memorial for the (To learn more, visit www.ambafrance-us.org; and click on the D-Day logo). U.S. soldiers buried at Colleville sur Mer D-Day:: An American Soldier’’s Tale

AMES H. JORDAN was a 22-year-old Private First Class when he landed at water. With the weight of all the gear on my back, I began to sink fast and knew that Omaha Beach. Like that of many soldiers who survived the disembarkation, his tes- I was about to drown. Fortunately, I was able to get my pack off and reach the sur- Jtimony is a precious and moving tribute to those who fought and died for freedom. face of the water. I then swam to shore. As badly as things had begun for me, once I "At about 4:00 A.M. on the morning made it to the beach, it got worse. of June 6th, we began boarding the land- The entire beach was a killing field. Artillery and machine gun fire were explod- ing craft. Once all landing crafts were on ing all around me. Men were lying dead and wounded on the beach. I picked up a line, the order for the invasion to begin was rifle lying on the beach and began running forward with the aim of reaching a three given and we headed for the beach. To to four foot high sea wall about two hundred yards inland. As I was running across both my right and left and as far as I could the beach, machine gun bullets began whizzing past me and hitting the ground just see, landing crafts were headed at full inches from my feet. I hit the ground. I laid speed to the Normandy coastline. With the there motionless, hoping the German sun rising, it was a remarkable sight. machine gunner would think he had killed Almost immediately, we came under fire. me and stop firing in my direction. It must Within minutes, for some reason, our boat started to take on water and we began have worked because the bullets that had to lag behind the other landing crafts. About seventy-five yards from the shore, with been landing right next to me stopped. our boat sinking, our Platoon Commander, Lieutenant Kenneth Klink, gave the order After a few seconds on the ground, I got up to abandon ship. Just as he gave the order, we took a direct hit by an artillery shell to and continued running. (…)Somehow I the middle of the craft, killing a number of men instantly. The ramp was dropped and had made it across the beach. Of the thirty those who were able began to get out. I had to step over the bodies of my fellow sol- men from my landing craft, only twelve were now left. (…) diers and friends who were now lying dead on the floor of the boat. As I got close to At the start of the day, my company consisted of one hundred and eighty- the ramp I was hit by a large wave that knocked me all the way to the back of the boat. seven men. By nightfall, only seventy-nine were left. For me, the day had been Again, I made my way to the front and managed to leave the boat just as it was sink- frightening, exhausting and painful in many ways. Yet, I was more fortunate ing behind me. I was the last man off. than many others-I had survived." 4 As I stepped off, another large wave hit me and I went completely under the Extract from Patrick Elie's Web site (www.6juin1944.com). l l Economic News IRAN PICKS TOTAL FOR TECHNOLOGIE BILLION-DOLLAR CONTRACT French oil conglomerate Total was chosen by Iran to develop a natural-gas field in Council on Competitiveness Meets South Pars. By extending the opportunity The Strategic Council on France’s Competitiveness met for the first time on April 26 to France, Iran hopes to gain access to the European market. The billion-dollar con- N APRIL 26, the Strategic Council on Raffarin emphasized that research and development will tract, which will probably be signed within Competitiveness met for the first time in the prime indeed be a priority, with incentives for researchers to set up one or two months, further strengthens France's commitment to Iran's develop- minister's Matignon residence. Composed of 25 shop in France and tax credits for R&D investments. ment. The South Pars field, located under- top executives from some of the most important The Strategic Council will meet again in 2005. In the mean- neath the Persian Gulf, is the largest nat- Ocompanies operating in France, the Council was set up in time, a campaign to promote France will be launched at the ural-gas field in the world, and Iran holds order to help the French government make the country more end of May during the World Investment Conference at la 15 percent of the world's natural-gas competitive in the global economy. Those present included Baule, and Raffarin has pledged to keep the competitiveness of reserves, second only to Russia. Felix Rohatyn (a former U.S. Ambassador to France), France at the top of his government's agenda. l l François Bujon de l'Estang (a former French Ambassador to NISSAN POSTS RECORD PROFIT SARKOZY SETS HIS SIGHTS ON PIRATES the U.S., and currently the President of CitiGroup France), The Nissan automobile group, co-owned by French carmaker Renault, earned net Katsuhiro NakaGawa (Vice President of Toyota), and French Minister of the Economy Nicolas Sarkozy is profits reaching a record high of 503.7 bil- Ferdinando Beccalli (President of GE Europe). putting his foot down on fakes—illegally imitated items lion yen ($4.68 billion). Its sales also that are sold as originals. In fact, he has made it one of The Council commended France for the steps it has already exceeded three million vehicles for the first his priorities. Sarkozy met with more than 50 individu- taken (such as the simplification of administrative procedures), time in 13 years. Nissan executives attrib- and called for the pursuit of economic reforms and a more als from various sectors of society affected by such pira- uted their strong profits to an ideal combi- cy, promising swift action. For starters, illicit networks favorable research framework. Prime Minister Jean-Pierre nation of increasing sales and decreasing will have to face heightened security at France's bor- costs, due in large part to Renault-inspired ders, and Sarkozy is hoping to rapidly reach agreements reforms. The company, riding high, plans with other governments to better battle the problem. New Pharma Giant Born to further extend its success with the Each year in France, more than 30,000 jobs disap- HE ACQUISITION OF AVENTIS by Sanofi- release of 28 new models over the next pear due to the sale of illegally imitated items. For the three years and the expansion of its oper- Sythélabo on April 25, marked the emergence of a new whole of Europe, that number soars to 200,000. In ations in new markets such as those of giant, as the combined company now holds the rank of 2000, 5 percent of the world's total commerce consist- T China, Russia, and Africa. the largest pharmaceutical company in Europe and the third ed of fakes. Today that number has reached 10 percent. largest in the world—just No longer consisting solely of luxury items such as NEW FINANCE MAGAZINE MUMMIES DAY MUMMIES DAY behind Pfizer and Gucci and Vuitton bags, piracy now includes even the A new magazine dealing with the finan- More than 50 mummies GlaxoSmith-Kline. After most mundane items—DVDs, cassettes, cigarettes, cial world has just hit the stores. toys, clothing, automobile parts, and medicine. Not were discovered in Egypt by a weeks of heated negotia- "Banque et Finance" (Bank and Finance) only do these imitations cost jobs, they are also often of team of French and Egyptian tions, it was agreed that will be sold at kiosks for 8 euros on shoddy quality and thereby pose serious safety risks. Mondays, and will aim to provide inci- archeologists in Saqqara. The Sanofi would pay 55.3 bil- sive financial commentary and analysis mummies, wrapped in linen lion euros, or $65 billion, to The Franco-German Aventis, known for its expertise in and sealed inside stone or as well as breaking news relative to the close the deal. In some ways, vaccines, was the leading pharmaceutical company in France, wooden sarcophagi, were in world of French finance and the Paris the transaction was more of and the seventh in the world, making it an ideal match for surprisingly good condition, Bourse. The director of the publication, noted Zahi Hawwas, the secre- a merger than a takeover, as Sanofi. The two companies will combine their strengths in Patrick Fillioud, added that the magazine tary general of Egypt's Sanofi-Aventis will have such fields as diabetes and cancer studies to create a power- will also exemplify how the world of Supreme Council of eight members from each house of research and innovation in the pharmaceutical sec- finance is not only for the Antiquities. Hawwas described previous company on its tor. The new, bigger firm will also be better able to under- wealthy but for the average citi- them as "the best conserved board. Sanofi's chief execu- write massive R&D expenditures (researching new medical zen as well. The magazine [mummies] dating from this tive, Jean-François Dehecq, compounds is an extremely expensive and time-consuming aspires to reach between 15,000 and 20,000 readers. period." He added that they will become the new com- process). The merger, if approved by E.U. and U.S. competi- are from the first millennium pany's chairman and CEO. tion authorities, should be operational by 2005. l l BC, and were probably buried FLINTSTONE NECKLACE during the Ptolemaic period, Tiny shells from a marine snail which ended with the death of Private Retirement Accounts Launched named Nassarius kraussianus Cleopatra in 30 BC. were discovered in the Guy Lecuyot, an N APRIL 22, France's new indi- accounts, known as "plans d'épargne Blombos Cave in South Africa Egyptologist at France's Centre vidual retirement accounts retraite populaire," which by a Norwegian-led team of National de la Recherche became a reality when Prime will benefit from tax French, U.S., British, and South O African researchers. The Scientifique and part of the Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin signed the breaks. Funds placed shells are unusual in that 12–member team from the final governmental decree that specifies in these accounts will Louvre Museum that is helping they are all pierced in an how they are to be implemented. Until be invested, and the identical manner, as if they to excavate the site, said he now, France's pension system had almost proceeds will be paid had spotted the sarcophagi were part of a necklace or exclusively been state-funded, in a scheme out as annuities once when he was trying to extri- bracelet. Believed to be known as "pay-as-you-go," in which con- their holders retire. cate other mummies. For 75,000 years old, they French archeologist Jean-Pierre tributions from present-day workers pay In order to protect seem to constitute the first Adam, "This type of discovery for the pensions of present-day retirees. investors from vagaries evidence of human jewelry, happens two or three times a This system will continue to form the in the stock market, funds leading researchers to surmise century." Researchers are now basis of the country's pension program, will gradually and automati- that Homo sapiens was in fact artistically inclined long before trying to date the sarcophagi but individuals will now have the option cally be placed in secure bonds the closer sketching the cave paintings— more precisely and to deter- of setting up individual retirement one gets to retirement age. l l mine to whom they belonged. first found in southern Europe about 35,000 years ago. 5 EVEN FRENCH PRISONERS Social News CREATE FINE CUISINE SOCIETÉ "I Cook for Myself Alone," a new cookbook put together by 600 French prisoners in collaboration with Michelin three-star chef Marc Haeberlin, will soon Chirac Sets Forth New Social Priorities be released. Inmates from all across the Minister of the Interior Dominique de Villepin calls for stronger civic education nation were invited to send recipes (using ingredients costing less than a URING A MEETING with France's prefects on In a similar vein, Dominique de Villepin announced his dollar!), with the best making it into the April 27, French President Jacques Chirac called on priorities as the nation's new interior minister and empha- book. Treats such as "Solitary Salad" his government to put social cohesion and employ- sized his desire to put national cohesion and solidarity at and "Two-Apple Prison Pie" were ment at the top of its agenda, in order to better meet the forefront of his actions. He added, however, that he will among those chosen, and the creator of Dthe nation's aspirations. Chirac described a plan that would not soften the government's stance against crime and inse- "Seabream with Mushrooms on a Bed of Lettuce" won the grand prize, receiv- seek to achieve three key goals: job creation (in particular at curity but will instead pursue his predecessor's energetic ing a TV set! Haeberlin was quoted as the entry level, to help new generations make the transition reforms, which he praised (his predecessor, Nicolas saying, "I suspect there must be a few from college to the job market), the implementation of a right Sarkozy, is now Minister of the Economy). He notably ex-chefs doing time." The competition to housing, and a global and coordinated plan to provide unveiled a plan to create a national crime database that sought to have prisoners cook for them- equal opportunities to all. According to Chirac, social cohe- would be accessible to all police officers, and to tackle three selves as a "constructive and therapeutic sion and economic growth are inextricably linked, and one main problem areas: juvenile delinquency, drugs and illegal recreation," not to replace prison food. cannot be achieved at the expense of the other. He insisted, for immigration. Most importantly, he expressed the desire to instance, that the government's job-creation measures would create a civic program that would reunite the French peo- FROG LEG FEAST The 32nd annual Frog Festival was held also help make companies more competitive. ple around the values of the Republic. l l in Vittel, France, on April 24-25. Estimated attendance was between 20,000 and 30,000 during the weekend, Paris Fair Marks Its 100th Anniversary when 7 tons worth of frog legs were HE PARIS TRADE FAIR, one of the biggest and first introduced TVs and copying machines to France. It does consumed! Snail-buttered frog legs and a oldest in the world, cel- so by including the winners of the frog-leg provincial omelet were both ebrates its 100th famous Concours Lépine, a contest that popular recipes. The Frog Leg Tasting T anniversary in May. After its recognizes the most useful inventions Brotherhood of the town of Vittel orga- creation in 1904, in the wake of designed by amateurs. nized the festival, and welcomed visitors the Paris Universal Exhibit of Companies now consider the trade from all over France, as well as visitors from Belgium and Portugal. 1900, the fair encountered such fair a valuable marketing tool, which swift success that a new, much allows them to see what rivals are offer- 9 GOLD MEDALS FOR vaster exhibition center was ing and to gauge what consumers want. FRENCH WINES IN BRUSSELS built to house it at the Porte de As such, the fair has weathered the eco- The 11th annual "Brussels World Versailles in 1924. nomic slowdown, with the number of Competition in Wine" was held in This year, the Paris Trade visitors steadily increasing every year. Belgium in early May to kick off the Fair brings together some According to John Shaw, the fair's pres- capital's Wine Expo, held every year Big crowds at the Paris fair 2,650 exhibitors, each belong- ident, visitors continue to appreciate for wine professionals. A total of 174 (Courtesy: Foire de Paris) wines competed for the Grand Prizes. ing to one of 22 different cate- the Paris Fair due mainly to the variety Of the 27 grand prize gold medals gories, ranging from gardening to swimming pools, from of products it presents, rather than because of low prices. Last that were handed out, nine went to multimedia software to perfumes, from interior design to year, the fair generated 458 million euros, from both direct French wines (once again recognizing handicrafts. Throughout its history, the fair has maintained its and indirect purchases, each visitor spending on average 733 France as the world's top popularity by introducing the latest innovations—indeed, it euros. l l BAGUETTE wine producer). Chile came BONANZA! in second, with six medals. French Soccer Team The baguette, per- THE CELL-PHONE haps France's most SAVVY FRENCH Celebrates Its Centennial archetypal victual, The Telecommunications was feted for a week Regulation Authority recently AY 1, 1904: the French the event, a record that still stands)— during the 9th announced that there are national soccer team plays reached the semi-finals. French support- Festival of Bread, 41.9 million active cell-phone the first game of its history ers would then have to wait for the eight- from May 10 to May M 16. More than 10 bil- numbers in France, equivalent against neighboring Belgium in a 3-3 ies to see the celebrated "Platini genera- lion baguettes are to 70 percent of the country's draw. After having reached the top ranks tion" (Platini, Giresse, Tigana) carry the made every year in population. The actual per- of the highly competitive world of soccer team to the World Cup semi-finals twice France, and they rep- centage rate of cell-phone in the past two decades (with a victory in in a row (1982 and 1986), and win the resent 70 percent of owners is likely lower, howev- the 1998 World Cup, and in the European Cup on French soil in 1984. bakery sales. Local er, as many users have several bakeries, or boulan- European cups of 1984 and 2000), les Finally, France and its star player phones. Ile-de-France (Paris) is geries, remain very the leading department in Bleus celebrated their 100th anniversary Zinedine Zidane won the World Cup in popular in France, France in terms of cell this month. 1998 in Paris. Refusing to rest on its lau- attracting 14 million customers a day (83 phones, with enough for an The first half of the French national rels, the team won the European Cup percent of the French team's history was in fact rather unin- two years later in Holland. Though les astounding 99.5 percent of eat bread at least the population! And the spiring. It was only in 1958 that it Bleus failed to advance in the 2002 once daily—on aver- number of clients rose 7.8 chalked up its first big win during an World Cup, they have since regained age, 165 grams percent in 2003, suggesting official competition. During that year's their confidence and appear to be the worth). Clearly, low- that the market is far from World Cup in Sweden, the French clear favorites for the upcoming carb diets are not about to take-off in saturated. Cell phone usage in team—led by Raymond Kopa and Juste European Cup, which will take place in the U.S. is currently just under France! Fontaine (who scored 13 goals during Portugal this June. l l 6 50 percent. les coups d’oeil Cultural Highlights CULTURE AZNAVOUR REMINISCES To celebrate his 80th birthday, interna- tionally renowned French singer Charles Latitudes Contemporaines Aznavour will soon be publishing his Lille will host a contemporary dance festival from June 21 to June 28 memoirs, in which he will write about his difficult childhood and successful career. N THE SPIRIT OF ITS NEW role as the cultural capi- host workshops, debates, and colloquiums with the artists, in His rags-to-riches life story is full of inter- tal of Europe, the city of Lille will an effort to strengthen the ties between esting insights and fascinating anecdotes, be hosting a contemporary dance the audience and the dancers and to including, of course, the story of his liai- festival, "Latitudes better familiarize the public with con- son with Edith Piaf. The son of Armenian CIontemporaines," from June 21 to June temporary dance. refugees, Varenagh Aznavourian was born on May 22, 1924, and after six 28. It is the second event of its kind, fol- Organized also in part to provide a decades as a performing artist, during lowing the success of last year's festival. window to the future of contemporary which he composed more than 600 The festival will feature perfor- dance, the name "Latitudes songs and sold more than 100 million mances by artists from all over Europe, Contemporaines" was chosen to repre- records—and appeared in more than 60 who will introduce their audiences to sent the free and open spirit of the fes- movies—Aznavour has secured his place the latest in contemporary choreogra- tival. One of its goals is to provide as the great torchbearer of the French phy and give residents of the Lille region “La Vision du Lapin” by Laurence artists with the latitude, or free range, chanson tradition and one of the last Yadi and Nicolas Cantillon a rare chance to see some of the most to experiment and innovate. Those classic pop song stylists. Aznavour will (courtesy:Michel Cavalva inventive international artists in the interested in learning more about the be performing in Paris May 22 at the - Latitudes Contemporaines) business brought together in a single festival may access its Web site at Palais des Congrès. spot. Along with the many performances, the festival will also www.latitudescontemporaines.org. l l THE SHADOKS IN MOURNING Jacques Rouxel, father of the weird bird- "MONA LISA" IN NEED OF A FACE LIFT? like creatures "the Shadoks," died on Leonardo da Vinci's famous "Mona Lisa" is giving the Louvre's cura- April 25, aged 73. He had become tors sleepless nights. The 500-year old painting, the most frequent- famous in 1968 for his cartoons featur- ly visited sight in the world's best-known museum, seems to be ing simplistic drawings and absurd showing new signs of deterioration. Indeed, the poplar wood that humor. Rouxel, after failing to become a the "Mona Lisa" is painted on shows signs of warping, and experts scientist, ended up working for French feel that the painting is in worse condition than previously assumed. television, where he created the first For some time now, the "Mona Lisa" has been kept behind a thin two-minute Shadok cartoon. First airing glass and in a room with low lighting to protect it against damage in May 1968, a new Shadoks cartoon from bright light, temperature changes, and humidity, to which it ran every day, and the series soon has been particularly sensitive. A new technical study will be con- became very popular worldwide, and ducted to assess the painting's condition and to find out which con- the subject of many tie-ins, including servation techniques will be best to save it. The room in the Louvre toys, comics, CDs, and DVDs. Many currently displaying "Mona Lisa" is to be renovated in early 2005. believe that Rouxel's nonsensical humor, especially appealing to English-speakers, derived from his stay in New York as a Cornucopia of Foreign Films in Cannes student.

OR ITS 57TH YEAR, Cannes has up-and-coming young directors from all sought to increase the number of over the world. This year, three U.S. movies Fcountries featured in its competition, will be in competition: "The Ladykillers" while perpetuating its glamorous image (Coen Brothers), "Fahrenheit 911" (Michael (American superstars Tom Hanks and Moore) and "Shrek 2." Gilles Jacob, president Brad Pitt both made appearances). Movies of the Cannes Festival, summed it up best by many famous directors were screened when he said that this year's selection was during the two-week long festival (Emir "inventive, not too classic nor too preten- Kusturica and the Coen Brothers competed tious; a selection which has to be the most WHAT DO I KNOW? for the Palme d'or, while Pedro Almodovar, international, the most open to all movie The famous French collection Quentin Tarantino and Jean-Luc Godard genres…" The festival, which started on May "Que Sais-Je?" just published its presented their newest movies), but it was 12, will run until May 23. For more informa- first issue in English, View of the Western Terrace above all an occasion to discover movies by tion, please visit: www.festival-cannes.fr. l l "Investments." This encyclope- (courtesy:Marc Riboud - RMN) dic collection was founded in 1941 by Paul Augoulvent and “HEAVENLY MOUNTAINS” KIDS, TAKE YOUR PARENTS TO THE MUSEUM! has been translated into 43 lan- From now until June 28, the exhibition "Montagnes French museums are celebrating the sixth "Springtime" festival, guages. The PUF publishing Célèstes," or "Heavenly Mountains," will be on display held every year in May, under this year's theme of "History and company explained that it was at the National Galleries of the Grand Palais in Paris. Stories." The festival included a Europe-wide celebration on the first not by chance that the subject Boasting more than one hundred paintings dating as Sunday of May, and 955 French museums as well as 576 museums of investments was the first to far back as the 12th century, the exhibition features across Europe opened their doors without charging admission, be released in the language of Chinese landscape art in which mountains and rivers inviting the public to explore their riches. Part of this celebration is Shakespeare, as English is now are glorified as sacred elements in nature. A retrospec- a French initiative called "Take your parents to a museum," in which considered the "universal lan- tive of Marc Riboud's photographs of the Huangshan 400,000 French elementary school students are given an invitation guage of finance." Its author, mountain chain are also on display, providing visitors for one child and two adults entitling them free admission to any Michael Rockinger, is a scientific with a glimpse of the mountain's present-day grandeur participating museum in May. The Ministry of National Education consultant for the Banque de and mysteriousness. For more information, please visit: was a partner in the initiative, and students were introduced to dif- France and a teacher at the www.rmn.fr/galeriesnationalesdugrandpalais. ferent museums in April, in preparation for their free trip. Collège des Ingénieurs in Paris. 7 in brief France in America CHEZ NOUS Erratum: The last two sentences of our “Letters Bring D-Day Back to Life” article were accidentally cut out. The article should have ended with: “U.S. Japan and Paris: Mutual Inspiration President George W. Bush, French The Honolulu Academy of Arts explores how Japan and France influenced each other’s art. President Jacques Chirac, and British Prime Minister Tony Blair, joined by APAN AND PARIS: Impressionism, Post- ink, silk, and paper and picked up oil and canvas. The blending of German Chancellor Gerhard “ Impressionism, and the Modern Era," the first exhibit of the two cultures is evident in paintings such as Mitsutani Schroeder, will meet in June on the its kind, showcases French and Japanese paintings from Kunishiro's 1932 "Scarlet Rug" which reveals two Japanese female Normandy beaches to commemorate 1882-1932 in the Honolulu Academy of Arts. The show, nudes—and their pet Pekinese—on a radiant red rug in front of a the D-Day landings. For more infor- wJhich pre-sold more than 10,000 tickets, includes European chef- Japanese flower arrangement. Mitsutani (in Japan, family names mation about the ceremonies, please d'oeuvres purchased more than a century ago by Japanese indus- come first), remains one of the most—if not the most—interna- visit www.liberation60.gouv.fr.” trialists. Artists highlighted include worldwide notables Matisse, tionally acclaimed Japanese artists of his time. But Saville notes that Renoir, Cézanne, Monet, Toulouse-Lautrec, Degas, Picasso, these Japanese artists struggled with the conflict inherent in inte- News from FRANCE Gauguin, and Pissarro, as well as works by Japanese artists who grating the West's style while still respecting their nation's tradi- were inspired by them. tions. It was a new, foreign way to view the world for them. EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Curator Jennifer Saville took over four years to assemble the On the flip side, many French painters collected Japanese Nathalie Loiseau 53 paintings on loan from 28 woodblock prints and museums and a multitude of other artistic items in EDITOR corporate and private collec- what became a veritable Emmanuel Gagniarre tions in Japan. The muse- "Japan" craze. To name MANAGING EDITOR ums include the Hiroshima just one, French artist Amaury Laporte Museum of Art and the Edgar Degas revealed National Museum of Western the impact Japanese SENIOR WRITER Aude Rabault Art in Tokyo. One painting technique had on him in was borrowed from the his portrait of American WRITERS Smithsonian Institution's impressionist Mary Nicolas Blarel, Michelle Hardy, Goranka Cop Henegar, Carine Morin, Lisa Petzold, National Portrait Gallery. Cassatt. She is portrayed There are clear similarities between Bather, 1891, by Pierre-Auguste Aida Senna, Angela Stowell, Susan The exhibit unveils a seated and leaning for- Swihart, Travis Valentine Renoir (left) and Scarlet Rug, 1932, by Kunishirö Mitsutani. magnificent tale of the ward with cards in her (Courtesy: Honolulu Academy of Arts) To change your address, subscribe (for exchange of cultures and hands, asymmetrically free) or unsubscribe, please contact: techniques as Japan opened itself to the West some 150 years ago. placed against an unfinished background in a manner very remi- FRENCH EMBASSY PRESS & A new class of Japanese industrialists began to collect Western niscent of Japanese artwork. INFORMATION SERVICE 4101 Reservoir Road, NW art, while many Japanese artists set out to find the magicians Little explained, "The show is much more than a show of Washington, DC 20007-2182 behind the masterpieces. Umehara Ryuzaburo, for instance, pretty paintings. It's about the artistic dialogue between Japan Tel: (202) 944-6060 Fax: (202) 944-6072 became a student of Renoir, and his 1913 "Narcissus," displaying and Paris." Many insist it is no less than the embodiment of the E-mail: a seated male nude, was clearly inspired by Renoir's techniques. influence the entire Eastern and Western hemispheres have had [email protected] When the then scandalous nude paintings made their debut in on one another. http://www.ambafrance-us.org Japan, they were kept in a separate room closed off by a curtain. The exhibit is open until June 6, and provides an excellent cul- http://www.france.diplomatie.fr Honolulu Academy of the Arts Director Stephen Little said the tural excuse to visit the beautiful island of Honolulu! Star Trek's Japanese collectors and artists of this movement "really revolution- "Mr. Sulu Takei" contributes his voice in the self-guided tour narra- ized art in Japan." For the first time, Japanese artists put aside their tion. For more information, visit: www.honoluluacademy.org. l l