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Strained ending of Francophonie Summit because of the divergences over Lebanon

The 11th Summit of Francophonie ended on Friday with adopting Bucharest Declaration, the text addressing the situation in Lebanon raising strong debates. Romania took over the presidency of the International Francophonie Organisation (OIF) and Abdou Diouf was reelected secretary general of the organisation.

published in issue 3778 page 5 at 2006-10-02

Bucharest ? The Francophonie Summit was marked by a strained ending, on Friday, following a last minute proposition related to the text addressing the situation in Lebanon, which divided the participants. The debates on the final declaration were suspended for two hours. Egypt representative, Minister of International Cooperation, Faiza Aboul Naga, proposed an amendment stipulating that the francophone countries regretted the war from Lebanon and they acknowledge its casualties. The amendment, supported by Lebanon, was rejected by Canada representative, PM Stephen Harper.

?We need to acknowledge the whole suffering brought by the war mentioning both the Lebanese and the Israeli victims?, the Canadian PM underlined in a press conference.

The paragraph was finally adopted after the participants accepted the modification proposed by the French part.

By this Declaration, the OIF member states ask for the complete cessation of hostilities in Lebanon and the reinforcement of order. The document condemns the tragedy experienced by Lebanon, the dramatic consequences affecting all civil parts and ask all camps to cooperate in the full implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701 and to cooperate with the international FINUL force, with the purpose of supporting the Lebanese Government in exerting sovereignty over its entire Southern territory.

?We restate our firm support for sovereignty, political independence and territorial integrity of Lebanon and we launch an appeal to the establishment of a fair and lasting peace in Middle East area?, the Declaration mentions.

Lebanon was represented in the Summit by Minister of Culture Tareq Mitri who declared that he was ?the special envoy of PM Fouad Siniora?. President of France affirmed that the fact that President Emil Lahoud was not invited should not generate polemics. Mitri explained that Lahoud statements, which were accusing Chirac of having intervened for not being invited in the Summit, were not a war statement and Lebanon wanted to have cordial relationship with France.

The Declaration outlines the concern in relation to the degradation of the situation in occupied Palestinian territories and the concern regarding the economic, social and humanitarian crisis from Gaza Strip, condemning, at the same time, violence and breaches of human rights and international laws.

At the same time, OIF countries launch an appeal to the peaceful and legal settlement of political crisis from some African countries and from Haiti, with a special emphasis on the situation in Sudan. .

Diouf to lead OIF for another four years

Within the plenary session of the Francophone Summit, which took place behind closed doors, the Senegalese Abdou Diouf was re-elected as Secretary General of the OIF. The candidature of the ex Senegal President was the only one registered.

The high level reunion was followed by the final press conference attended by President Traian Basescu, President of France, Jacques Chirac, PM of Canada, PM of the Canadian Province of Quebec, and Secretary General of Francophony.

Jacques Chirac said that the organisation of the event was ?absolutely perfect? and it provided the world ?a superb image of Romania?. ?I thank Bucharest inhabitants because in spite of having been disturbed, particularly in terms of traffic, they seem to have kindly accepted this, according to the great hospitality and generosity traditions that are characteristic to Romania?, according to President of France.

Stephen Harper , Canada?s PM as well thanked Romania for how the event was organised. ?It is clear that the Canadian authorities will be facing a real challenge, to be up to the preparedness level of Bucharest Sommet, in 2008, when they will host the 12th edition of the event?, he added..

Quebec PM, Jean Charest, expressed, in his turn, his thanks for the ?success? of the Summit and for the ?hospitality? proved by those involved in its organisation. He mentioned that Romania reminds, for Quebec population, of the Olympic Games from ?76, in Montreal, when the Romanian gymnast Nadia Comaneci was the star. He welcomed the fact that 30 years after the event, Romania is within ?a very favourable context?, with reference to Romania being accepted by the EU.

The Summit from Bucharest is important for Quebec since it precedes the reunion to take place in the Canadian province represented by Charest. Previously, Stephen Harper, informed that the 12th edition of Francophonie Summit will take place during October 27-29, 2008.

It was also the opinion of Abdou Diouf, OIF General Secretary, that the organisation of the Summit in Bucharest was a ?success?.

For Romania and for Bucharest authorities, it was ?an honour to organise a political event of such a magnitude?, according to the head of the Romanian State. President Traian Basescu also underlined that OIF membership makes Romanian stronger to the European countries that share French language, but it does not spare it from performing well within the EU