ARGENTINA: French Prime Minister, Jean-Marc Ayrault, appeals for European help in resolving conflict in Mali

Record ID: 447247

  • Title: ARGENTINA: French Prime Minister, Jean-Marc Ayrault, appeals for European help in resolving conflict in Mali
  • Date: 25th January 2013
  • Summary: BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA (JANUARY 25, 2013) (REUTERS) EXTERIOR OF FRENCH EMBASSY IN BUENOS AIRES FRENCH FLAG POLICE SECURITY VARIOUS OF FRENCH PRIME MINISTER, JEAN-MARC AYRAULT, ARRIVING TO THE EMBASSY BY CAR AND STEPPING OUT OF THE VEHICLE (SOUNDBITE) (French) FRENCH PRIME MINISTER, JEAN-MARC AYRAULT, SAYING: "The international mission was implemented following the Security Council resolution from December 20. The military mission on African soil is getting set up with the intention of replacing the French troops. And after there must be a political transition in Mali, to consolidate the construction of a Mali that is independent and sovereign in all its territory, democratic and respectful of diversity. And, at the same time it is also necessary that Europe, which has committed its solidarity, embark on a specific development program, not only in Mali but in the entire region where some countries are particularly poor and expect our solidarity in order to develop. This is the challenge, and I will have the opportunity to mention it again in front of participants at the European Union- Latin America and the Caribbean meeting this weekend in Santiago." AYRAULT TALKING TO JOURNALISTS (SOUNDBITE) (French) FRENCH PRIME MINISTER, JEAN-MARC AYRAULT, SAYING: "I will tell him, first, that the French people and that France is happy to see Florence Cassez returning home. It's certainly a relief for her, for her family and for everyone that has been at her side. And also I will say that I celebrate the Mexican justice system's decision, and that is must be said that it is an independent decision and this is very important: to respect the decision of a sovereign state with democratic institutions and you see that in regard to justice, these [the institutions] have worked." EXTERIOR OF NAVY MECHANICS SCHOOL (ESMA) VARIOUS OF MOTHERS OF THE PLAZA DE MAYO WAITING FOR THE ARRIVAL OF AYRAULT AYRAULT GREETING MOTHERS OF PLAZA DE MAYO VARIOUS OF AYRAULT TOURING AROUND ESMA PREMISES EXTERIOR OF THE 'OFFICER'S CASINO' BUILDING, WHERE MANY WERE TORTURED DURING THE MILITARY DICTATORSHIP (SOUNDBITE) (French) FRENCH PRIME MINISTER, JEAN-MARC AYRAULT, SAYING: "I feel moved by the visit to this place. Moved especially by the people I met, such as the man who was tortured here and who could escape whereas many others - among them French citizens, two nuns - were tortured, assassinated and thrown from planes into the sea and in some cases their bodies were never found."
  • Embargoed: 9th February 2013 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Argentina
  • Country: Argentina
  • Topics: International Relations,Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA7SH66CMZVZ8RKX6NZPIOMEZ7K
  • Story Text: French Prime Minister, Jean-Marc Ayrault, kicked off an official visit to Argentina on Friday (January 25).
    After visiting the French Embassy, Ayrault spoke to reporters about French military intervention in war-torn Mali and appealed for European solidarity.

    "The international mission was implemented following the Security Council resolution from December 20. The military mission on African soil is getting set up with the intention of replacing the French troops. And after there must be a political transition in Mali, to consolidate the construction of a Mali that is independent and sovereign in all its territory, democratic and respectful of diversity. And, at the same time it is also necessary that Europe, which has committed its solidarity, embark on a specific development program, not only in Mali but in the entire region where some countries are particularly poor and expect our solidarity in order to develop. This is the challenge, and I will have the opportunity to mention it again in front of participants at the European Union- Latin America and the Caribbean meeting this weekend in Santiago," said Ayrault.
    When asked what he would say to Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto during the two-day Community of Latin American and Caribbean States-European Union Summit (CELAC-EU) to be held in Santiago, Chile over the weekend, Ayrault said he would praise the Mexican justice system for the recent release of Florence Cassez, a French citizen who was serving a 60 year prison sentence in Mexico after being convicted of kidnapping.

    "I will tell him, first, that the French people and that France is happy to see Florence Cassez returning home. It's certainly a relief for her, for her family and for everyone that has been at her side. And also I will say that I celebrate the Mexican justice system's decision. It must be said that it is an independent decision and this is very important: to respect the decision of a sovereign state with democratic institutions and you see that in regard to justice, these [the institutions] have worked," said Ayrault with reporters outside the embassy.
    The French Prime Minister was met by members from the Mothers of the Plaza de Mayo human rights organization outside the notorious Navy Mechanics School (ESMA), a former torture-detention centre during the Argentine military dictatorship.
    Ayrault said he felt moved after touring the premises. Two French nuns, Alice Domon and Leonie Duquet, were abducted and killed by Argentine military death squads during the 1970s.

    "I feel moved by the visit to this place. Moved especially by the people I met, such as the man who was tortured here and who could escape whereas many others - among them French citizens, two nuns - were tortured, assassinated and thrown from planes into the sea and in some cases their bodies were never found," said Ayrault.
    Ayrault wrapped up his visit in the government house where he met with Argentine President Cristina Fernandez.
    The Prime Minster will then travel to Santiago, Chile to participate in a European Union-Latin American summit over the weekend.
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