http://www.ambafrance-us.org http://www.france.diplomatie.fr VOL. 04.08 JUNE 30, 2004 A triweekly review of French news and trends Online at: www.ambafrance-us.org/publi/nff/index.pdf First Constitution for the European Union INSIDE Fundamental law is “good for Europe and good for France" according to Chirac. 2 L’événement UROPEAN UNION LEADERS adopted the bloc's first-ever con- French Development stitution at the end of a two-day summit in Brussels on June 18, Aid Highly Rated after almost two and half years of intense negotiations. All agreed 3 France-Amérique that the new constitutional treaty is a great achievement for Space Symposium Co- Europe and for all Europeans, and a very significant milestone in the evo- Hosted by Embassy lution of the E.U. French President Jacques Chirac signaled the impor- tance of the event for his country by FRANCE DETERMINED 4 Profil TOASSISTIRAQIS giving a rare national television France and the address on June 19. He called the On June 8, the U.N. Security Olympic Games agreement "genuinely historic" and Council voted unanimously for 5 Économie / Science resolution 1546, concerning the emphasized that the constitution is restoration of Iraqi sovereignty. "good for Europe and good for Bioethics Bill After the resolution's initial text France," because, "for the first time in President Jacques Chirac speaking on June 17, 6 Société was "amended and improved" Europe's history, 25 countries are during the European Summit in Brussels. Louis XVII’sHeart at the request of France, expressing together their will to (Courtesy:Agence France-Presse) Germany, and Russia, the mem- strengthen peace and democracy on 7 Culture bers of the Security Council met our continent and give it new opportu- ther toward harmonizing fiscal and social policies, Fête de la Musique and formally adopted the nities for prosperity and solidarity." expressed satisfaction that "the 25 nations have put American-British resolution by a 8 Chez nous Bolstered by an opinion poll that into place mechanisms that will allow States who so vote of 15-0. President Jacques French Curves indicated that 66 percent of the elec- wish to make headway faster without being blocked Chirac's spokeswoman, in Los Angeles Catherine Colonna, noted that torate would support the charter if it by those who need more time." the resolution "clearly reflects the was put to a referendum, Chirac said Before the constitution is put into effect, it must return of sovereignty to the that the document will enable the E.U. be ratified by all 25 member states, and several have Iraqis," by, for instance, asserting "to function more efficiently and already committed themselves to holding a referen- their control over their nation's oil address more effectively today's chal- dum on the matter. Chirac stated earlier that it resources and security forces. AMBASSADE DE FRANCE lenges." He explained that "Europe will could take him up to a year or more to decide AUX ETATS-UNIS In related news, Abel Abdel see its institutions strengthened with a whether to hold a referendum or seek parliamen- Mehdi, finance minister of Iraq's stable European Council president and tary ratification instead. interim government, who was in an E.U. foreign minister who will The Netherlands will take over the E.U. Presidency in July, and will oversee France on a private visit, was amplify the role of each of our the clarification and translation of the text—which is expected to take three received on June 22 by French nations." He also emphasized that "the months—after which there will be a formal signing ceremony. l l Finance Minister Nicolas Sarkozy role of the European Parliament will and the secretary-general of the INTERIOR MINISTER SETS HIS SIGHTS ON SIX PRIORITIES Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The be broadened," and that "a new voting As he seeks to tackle some of France's most serious social issues, French secretary-general emphasized the system in the Council, based on a dou- Minister of the Interior Dominique de Villepin announced on June 24 six top importance France gives to the ble majority (55 percent of the mem- priorities on which he will focus his Ministry's efforts. They include the fights success of the transition in Iraq. ber states representing 65 percent of against terrorism, cybercrime, drug trafficking, racism and anti-Semitism, as France's policy is guided by one the Union's population), will better well as protecting minors and ensuring that all French citizens benefit from the simple principle: to restore sover- take into account what Europe actual- same opportunities. Each taskforce will be headed by Villepin's cabinet in con- eignty to the Iraqis and assist ly is—i.e. not only a union of States, junction with a leading independent authority. them in rebuilding their country. but also a union of peoples and citi- Villepin himself will direct the anti-terrorism taskforce, thereby signaling its France is ready to take its full zens." He then welcomed the fact that critical importance for France. As a first step, Villepin announced the creation part in Iraq's political and eco- the new constitution clarifies the dis- of a new government agency in charge of analyzing and exchanging informa- nomic reconstruction in a bilater- tribution of powers between the E.U. tion concerning possible terrorist threats. Cooperating under this new umbrel- al capacity and in the context of and its member states. la agency, to be known as the Conseil du Renseignement Intérieur (Council of the European Union, in accor- Domestic Intelligence), will be the Directorate of Territorial Security—France's dance with the conclusions of the While the new constitution will give equivalent of the CIA—, the gendarmerie, and the Department of International European Council on June 17-18. the E.U. more clout on the internation- al stage, President Chirac explained Police Cooperation. With regard to the question of The Interior Minister also emphasized the importance of the fight against debt, France confirmed to Mehdi that "it will also give France more drug trafficking. According to him, "Behind every joint, there is a connection that, as President Jacques Chirac weight within Europe and enable citi- with a criminal or terrorist activity." Indeed, drug smuggling helps finance many had announced at the G8 sum- zens of our country to make their voic- of the terrorist networks operating in Europe. mit in Sea Island, GA, it would es heard (…) That is why this agree- examine with its Paris Club part- ment is very important, and that is why With regards to providing equal opportunities to all, Villepin, who dismissed ners the modalities for a substan- I call it historic." Chirac, who would affirmative action as contrary to the principle of equality, announced nonethe- less that measures will be taken by his Ministry to hire more minorities. tial cancellation. have liked the summit to have gone fur- 1 En bref current events MORE FRENCH TROOPS L’ÉVÉNEMENT SENT TO AFGHANISTAN France is sending more troops to con- tribute to the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan French Aid Most Generous Among G8 this August. General Henri Bentégeat, REVIEW OF FRENCH aid policies and programs Indeed, in addition to the dollar amounts it sends beyond its French chief of staff, said on June 2 that released by the Organization for Economic borders, France works tirelessly to secure the better integration a French general will take command of Cooperation and Development (OECD) commended of African countries into the world economy, and to promote the ISAF on August 11, and 300 men will reinforce the French troops partici- Francefor the rise in its offi- sustainable development and democ- Acial development assistance (ODA), cit- ratic governance in developing coun- pating in ISAF, bringing their total to 1,000. ISAF is conducting peacekeeping ing it as the most generous G8 country tries. In 2005, France plans to host a operations in Afghanistan under a U.N. in terms of its ODA/gross national follow-up meeting to a forum held in mandate and NATO control. Of the income ratio. The report, released on Rome in 2003 to discuss more effective French troops deployed in Afghanistan, May 26, applauded the increase of ways to accomplish these goals. 200 special forces have been part of French ODA from $4.2 billion in 2001 While praising these numerous America's military operation, Enduring to $7.3 billion in 2003. France plans to successes, the OECD has also chal- Freedom, since August 2003. continue this rise by boosting its ODA lenged French authorities to bring their to around $9 billion by 2007, with over work to an even higher level, a task that FOREIGN MINISTER ON Computer class in Abidjan, Ivory Coast. half of that money going to develop- is far from simple. Nevertheless, France TOUR IN THE MIDDLE EAST (Courtesy:World Bank- Ami Vitale) French Foreign Minister Michel Barnier ing countries in Africa. hopes to respond to this challenge by traveled to the Middle East, June 20 to France has consistently played a leading role in interna- setting a new policy direction for its ODA, as well as by 22, and June 29 to 30, to discuss the tional efforts to harmonize aid policies, as well as to facilitate improving its field operations, thus making French ODA that current situation in the region. Barnier better aid management practices in developing countries. much more strategic, transparent, and effective. l l first visited Egypt and Jordan, where he reaffirmed France's support for the Road Map for Israeli-Palestinian peace. Barnier then visited the Palestinian ter- Environmental Charter Steams Ahead ritories from June 29 to 30, where he Charter will constitutionally enshrine the rights of the French to live in a clean environment met the Palestinian government and its leader Yasser Arafat.