14209: Blanchet: Fw: Daily Press Briefing (December 27, 2002) (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: Max Blanchet <MaxBlanchet@worldnet.att.net>

>                          Daily Press Briefing
>                           Statements made by
>           the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Deputy Spokesperson
>                              (excerpts)
>
>                       (Paris, December 27, 2002)
>      [Please note that only the original French text issued by the
>      French Ministry of Foreign Affairs may be considered official.
>                   ( http://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr )]
>
>
>
> HAITI
> =====
>
> We were shocked to learn of the attack on Wednesday in which one person
> was killed at the home of Michelle Montas, a journalist, director of Radio
> Haiti Inter and widow of assassinated journalist Jean Dominique.
>
> France strongly condemns all the pressure, intimidation and threats
> against journalists in Haiti to prevent them from freely exercising their
> profession.  Freedom of the press is one of the main achievements of the
> democratic process begun in Haiti several years ago.  Everything should be
> done to preserve it.
>
> France wishes to see security and concord restored in Haiti, a friend, in
> accordance with the principles of democracy.  It has maintained its aid in
> full to the Haitian people and will continue to work to that end.
>