FRENCH NATIONAL DAY
RECEPTION AT THE RESIDENCE OF FRANCE, 6, TERNAN AVENUE
MONDAY 14TH JULY 2008, 6.00-8.00 p.m.
SPEECH BY H.E. RENE FORCEVILLE, AMBASSADOR
The guest of honour, Honourable Dr Ruhakana Rugunda, distinguished guests, ladies
and gentlemen. I thank you so much for having honoured our invitation to be with us
this Monday evening as we commemorate our National Day. A warm welcome to
you all to this Residence of France, which sits here since 1962. I do thank the
Government and citizens of Uganda for the hospitality granted to this Embassy and
to the French community in Uganda.
France has recently assumed the Presidency of the European Union, a mandate that
we shall exercise till the end of this year. The most vigilant ones must have noted
already that we are celebrating this year’s French national day with a special
European touch. For the coming six months, the EU French Presidency will put
emphasis on energy and climate, migrations, the European Security and Defence
Policy, and the Common Agricultural Policy. These are issues that concern not only
Europe but also Uganda and the whole world.
The EU endeavours to promote human rights, democracy, fair trade, humanitarian
actions and sustainable development. In Uganda, the French Presidency of the EU
will, among other areas, put emphasis on the area of political dialogue with the
Government of Uganda according to article 8 of Cotonou Agreement. This political
dialogue was enforced with the EU-AU partnership known as the Lisbon Strategy.
Dear friends, the French Revolution put France to the path of democratic
transformation. What we mainly remember today is that the values of Freedom,
Equality and Brotherhood that the French Revolution bequeathed to us are universal,
and a heritage that we shall always treasure. Democracy is not just a way of
governance, but a way of life, of tolerance, respect for others, a promotion of justice
and equality among all. In Africa, we must be proud of South Africa’s example of a
peaceful transition from one of the worst regimes that the world has known
(Apartheid) to democracy.
Unfortunately, not far from South Africa, Zimbabwe is a glaring example of the very
opposite. By refusing democracy, Mr Mugabe has plunged his country into violence,
despair and economic decadence. It is of no surprise that the first EU declaration
under the French Presidency, published on Friday 4th July was on Zimbabwe, and in
addition to the 27 EU member states, 13 other nations appended their signature to
this declaration. The EU reaffirmed that it will only accept a formula which respects
the will of the people of Zimbabwe, as expressed in the elections of 29th March 2008,
which saw the MDC and Mr Morgan Tsvangirai win. There must be an end to the
campaign of violence.
In accordance with the emphasis put on the issue of Peace and Stability, the French
Army is continuing its pledge of Peace Support Operations training with UPDF.
Indeed, since the French led EU "Artemis" peace operation in Ituri in 2003, the
Franco-Ugandan military co-operation has grown steadily. The third Edition of
training of the Somalia bound men was concluded recently, on 20th June in Singo,
after a 4 weeks’ intensive interaction between thirty French officers and the Uganda
Battle Group of 1,600 men (UGABAG III). Another training of the same kind will
again be conducted in Singo before the end of this year. You will agree with me that,
the work that UPDF is doing in Mogadishu deserves our praise and our continued
support.
One the same note, one cannot but wish Uganda a solution to the long-standing
problem of the LRA rebellion. The Juba peace process has so far produced
encouraging results, for which we congratulate the parties involved as well as the
mediators. A negotiated solution as well as an authentic and convincing justice is
what we all wish for. Let me hope that the light of hope and confidence put in the
people of the North and East of Uganda will be strengthened by a good
implementation of the Peace and Recovery Programme, and that funds available
under this PRDP will be put to the best of use.
This Embassy pledges to enhance its co-operation with Uganda. After talking about
military co-operation, let me also say a word on civilian co-operation. I wish to
single out here, our linguistic co-operation with the Ministry of Education, which is
stronger than ever before. I must salute the work of the Association of the teachers of
French in Uganda (APFO) for a job well done. As for our cultural co-operation, I do
commend Alliance française de Kampala and their collaborators, the Uganda
German Cultural Society, who have actually recently moved together to new
premises on Mackinon Road, not far from here.
Last but not least, ladies and gentlemen, a word on regional integration;
I wish to tell our Ugandan as well as East African friends that France and the
European Union do treasure regional integration. Always remember that we are
behind all your efforts towards building a strong East African Community. We
believe that this Community will lead to prosperity and stability for all. Make that
community one that is united, democratic, innovative and attentive to the needs of
the less privileged. While the European example will show you that regional
integration is quite sophisticated, that it is a long and challenging process, you need
not loose truck.
If you may permit, ladies and gentlemen, let me say a few words in French. Chers
compatriotes et amis francophones, à l’occasion de ma première célébration en
Ouganda de notre fête nationale, je tiens à vous remercier pour l’accueil que vous
nous avez réservé à mon épouse et à moi-même ainsi que la contribution de chacune
et chacun d’entre vous pour le rayonnement de notre pays en Ouganda.
Je ne peux pas ici ne pas avoir une pensée à l’égard de René Bartoli, dont l’épouse
se trouve actuellement parmi nous.
Merci à tous ceux qui nous font le plaisir de partager avec nous l'usage du français.
Vive l'Ouganda, vive la France.
Now let me propose a toast to the health of H.E. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, President
of the Republic of Uganda). (Ugandan National Anthem).