e-version A free monthly review of French news & trends VOL. 08.03 APRIL 18, 2008 France Takes Initiative at 20th NATO Summit Heads ofState and high-ranking officials from the North its relationship with NATO as European Defense moves for- Atlantic Council convened in Bucharest, Romania, for ward. He proposed that the 60th Anniversary NATO Summit the 20th NATO Summit held from April 2 to 4. The take place in 2009 in Strasbourg and Kehl, to reinforce NATO summit also brought together,for the first time,the lead- and ESDP, and to conclude the process engaged by France. ers from the 40 countries participating in the NATO-led This move would accompany the development of the operation in Afghanistan with Afghan President Hamid European Security and Defense Policy (ESPD), which has Karzai, and Secretary-General of NATO Jaap de Hoop won the approval of the United States. Sheffer,as well as officials from the European Union and President Bush strongly affirmed at the NATO Summit other international organizations. that the European Union needs to be a strong and effective France has responded to NATO's call for more actor on the international stage and encouraged European © Service photo Elysée troops by pledging to send an additional battalion to Presidents Karzai (Afghanistan) and Sarkozy nations to develop the resources and steps needed to eastern Afghanistan, adding approximately 700 troops (France) met at the 20th NATO Summit. strengthen their defense capabilities, which must be robust to France's current contingent of 1,600 in the country. and flexible enough to support both NATO and EU opera- The troop increase is part of France's commitment to Afghanistan. French President tions. President Bush recalled that America supports a strong Europe because it needs a Nicolas Sarkozy also announced that France would take command of the central region strong partner in the hard work of advancing freedom in the world. "A stronger Europe of Afghanistan beginning this summer. President Sarkozy declared in November before contributes to European and global security and stability." the US Congress that France would "remain engaged [for] as long as it takes," explaining Strengthening the ESPD is one of President that "what's at stake in that country is the future of our values and of the Atlantic Alliance." Sarkozy's goals for France's six-month EU pres- INSIDE President Sarkozy has also indicated that France would continue the renovation of idency, which begins on July 1. France Bids 2 Current Events expressed France's sorrow over the loss and EU Multidimensional Farewell to Its honored the contributions made by Force in Africa Last "Poilu" Ponticelli as well as all the soldiers of WWI: 3 France & America France recently lament- "Lazare Ponticelli thought he owed a lot to Dee Dee Bridgewater ed the loss of its last sur- France. I affirm today that it is our country viving World War I vet- which owes a debt to him. […] It is to him 4 Profile eran, who died on and his generation that we owe in large part Le Bac Turns 200 March 12 at age 110. the peaceful Europe. It is up to us to be wor- 5 Business & Tech ©Photo service Elysée Lazare Ponticelli was thy of it." New Minicar one of 8.4 million Ponticelli was given a state funeral at the France’s last surviving WWI veteran, 6 Society French WWI soldiers, Saint-Louis des Invalides cathedral in Paris Lazare Ponticelli, received a state funeral A Slice of Lyon in the called poilus.The on March 17. That day was also designated in Paris on March 17. Middle East nickname, meaning a national day of homage for all the com- "hairy one," refers both to the beards worn by the soldiers in the trenches and to batants of World War I, including more 7 Culture their toughness and bravery. than 50,000 American soldiers who gave Mont Saint-Michel Corporal Frank Woodruff Buckles, age 107, is the last surviving American veteran their lives fighting alongside the French. "It Celebrates 1,300 Years of the Great War to have served in a combat zone. Cpl. Buckles was awarded the Legion is our duty," President Sarkozy declared, "to 8 France in America of Honor,France's highest decoration, by then-President Jacques Chirac in 1999. place on record our grateful thanks to all the Modernist Iconic “It” Lazare Ponticelli was born on December 7, 1897, in Bettola, Italy,but left his birth- combatants, of all ranks, of all origins, of all Couple in New Haven place at a young age for Paris, where he found work as a chimney sweep and paper boy. faiths, who gave France the victory." When the war broke out in 1914, Ponticelli volunteered to fight for France as a way of Ponticelli and the soldiers of World War I thanking the country that had welcomed him. Only 16-years-old, he lied about his age were honored throughout France and to join the French Foreign Legion and served on the front lines at Argonne and Verdun. worldwide through France's diplomatic AMBASSADE DE FRANCE After the War, Ponticelli returned to France and started a piping company with his network. At the Embassy of France in AUX ETATS-UNIS brothers. He became a French citizen in 1939. Washington, D.C., flags stood at half-mast and a formal ceremony was held dur- In a statement issued on March 12, French President Nicolas Sarkozy ing which staff observed a moment of silence in memory of those who fought. Embassy Gives Web Site a Facelift The Embassy of France in the United States will soon launch a new version of its Web site (www.ambafrance-us.org) designed to streamline communication about France with the American public. The new Web site is based on a content management system (CMS), allowing it to be updated more rapidly. The new site integrates recent improvements in Web applications and the internet, notably,the extensive use of audiovisual multimedia—an addition now possible thanks to faster internet connections. A central aspect of the new site is the video center, "Ambafrance-us TV." This section provides a broad range of clips about the embassy and its events, featuring cov- erage of French ministerial visits, Ambassador Pierre Vimont's activities, and cultural events organized by La Maison Française, as well as a virtual tour of the embassy. Videos of certain French officials' speeches—President Sarkozy's annual UN address or his Bastille Day speech, for example—will also be available. The embassy's Web site is the most visited French embassy Web site in the world, with one million visitors per month. En bref [ Current Events ] GET A TASTE OF FRANCE WITHOUT THE JET LAG On Saturday, May 3, from 10:00 a.m. E.U. Deploys Multidimensional Military Force to Chad and CAR to 3:00 p.m., the Embassy of France will open its doors to the general pub- Initial Operational Capability of lic for the second annual European operation EUFOR Chad/CAR, Union Open House. Like last year, visi- which marked the effective start of tors will able to travel across Europe in the operation with the deploy- a single day and for free, thanks to a ment of all the command, control, complimentary shuttle service to all par- expeditionary, logistics and med- ticipating embassies, departing from ical assets to start its missions. Dupont Circle and Farragut North. The whole operation will com- Twenty-seven EU embassies will give prise 3,700 troops from 14 you the opportunity not only to get a European nations, 55 percent of behind-the-gates look at their often which will be French soldiers. sumptuous buildings but also to enjoy France will provide one of the three various programs featuring European cuisine, music and other activities to maneuver battalions, communica- delight the whole family. In 2007, more tions, logistics and command assets, than 35,000 visitors experienced the as well as the main core of the force's diversity of the E.U. first-hand. This year, staff which will be headquartered in the French Embassy invites the public to Chad. France will also provide 9 savor a gourmet lunch, sip a glass of attack and maneuver helicopters champagne, enjoy French arts and including one medical evacuation crafts, attend a puppet show, marvel at helicopter. In total, 2,100 French a magician's tricks, and, of course, dis- © M.A.E./ F. de la Mure forces will be deployed as part of cover more about France, as represen- A patrol of French special forces participating in the EUFOR EUFOR Chad/CAR. tatives from various Embassy offices will multidimensional military force in Chad commence their mission. France has also activated the be on hand to answer questions. For In accordance with the UN Security Council's unanimous European headquarters (HQ) from which General Nash additional information, including direc- vote of Resolution 1778, which was introduced at France's will command the operation at the strategic level. The HQ tions and transportation, please visit initiative with the support of European partners, the is located at Mount Valerien, near Paris, and it has a 130- www.eurunion.org/EUinUS/eu-open- European Union has begun deploying multidimensional strong staff hailing from 21 different European countries. house. military forces in eastern Chad and northeastern Central EUFOR Chad/CAR will closely coordinate with the African Republic in support of efforts to tackle the crisis multidimensional United Nations presence in the east of FRANCOPHONIE in Darfur as part of a regional approach to that crisis. Chad and in the northeast of the CAR to improve securi- APPRECIATION WAVES PROUDLY Subsequently, in October 2007, the Council of ty in a region directly affected by the crisis in Darfur.