ALGERIA - FRANCE
Colonialism 'profoundly unjust' says Sarkozy
Monday, December 3, 2007
French President Nicolas Sarkozy branded colonialism as contrary to France's founding principles on the first day of his state visit to Algeria. But he stopped short of apologizing for colonial-era "crimes".
Monday, December 3, 2007
By AFP
French President Nicolas Sarkozy denounced colonialism as "profoundly unjust" in a speech to French and Algerian business leaders Monday evening in Algiers.
"Yes, the colonial system was profoundly unjust, contrary to the three founding words of our Republic: freedom, equality, brotherhood," Sarkozy said several hours after arriving in the Algerian capital.
"But it's also fair to say that inside the system, there were many men and women who liked Algeria, before having to leave it."
Plans for a treaty of friendship between the two countries have been shelved over France's refusal to apologise for colonial-era "crimes," as demanded by part of the Algerian ruling class.
Sarkozy simply said Monday that "terrible crimes" were committed throughout the 1954-62 war of independence with numerous victims on both sides, whom he said he wished to honour.
"The moment has come to entrust Algerian and French historians with the task of writing this page of tormented history together," he added.
Paris and its former colony have maintained an uneasy relationship since the end of Algeria's war of independence.
France is home to an estimated three million Algerian and Franco-Algerian nationals, its largest immigrant community.
"Yes, the colonial system was profoundly unjust, contrary to the three founding words of our Republic: freedom, equality, brotherhood," Sarkozy said several hours after arriving in the Algerian capital.
"But it's also fair to say that inside the system, there were many men and women who liked Algeria, before having to leave it."
Plans for a treaty of friendship between the two countries have been shelved over France's refusal to apologise for colonial-era "crimes," as demanded by part of the Algerian ruling class.
Sarkozy simply said Monday that "terrible crimes" were committed throughout the 1954-62 war of independence with numerous victims on both sides, whom he said he wished to honour.
"The moment has come to entrust Algerian and French historians with the task of writing this page of tormented history together," he added.
Paris and its former colony have maintained an uneasy relationship since the end of Algeria's war of independence.
France is home to an estimated three million Algerian and Franco-Algerian nationals, its largest immigrant community.
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DAVID CROSSAN
03/12 8pm GMT+1 Correspondent in Algiers
- DAVID CROSSAN
- 03/12 8pm GMT+1 Correspondent in Algiers
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