

French Defence Minister Longuet to EuroFora on EUROCORPS +ESDP: Collective action debated with MEPs

Initiatives are important, but Collective decisions are necessary in European and International Military action, replied in substance French Minister of Defence Gerard Longuet to "EuroFora" question on the development of EUROCORPS and other EU-led ESDP tools' capacities for Autonomous action, (often more efficient also in International Diplomacy : See infra), as EU Parliament has asked since March 2010, and as it was anew evoked, in a Stimulating overall ambiance of several key-MEPs, later this evening, when Longuet exchanged views with MEPs of the Foreign affairs and ESDP's committees, where concrete, as well as strategic prospects were discussed.
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The French Minister of Defence spoke initially to "EuroFora" at a Press Conference during his visit to EUROCORPS, the European "Etat Major" based in Strasbourg and composed by France, Germany, Spain, Belgium and Luxembourg, as fully perticipating (i.e. with many permanent Soldiers, Officers, Equipment, etc) Founding Members, as well as other EU Countries, such as Italy, Greece, Poland, etc. as "Associate" Nations with Liaison Officers on the spot, while, recently, particularly concerning some NATO-related issues, participation of Liaison Officers from Turkey and/or USA, etc. was considered.
Longuet was welcomed at EUROCORPS by German general Walter Spindler, deputy EUROCORPS Commander, because the new Commanding General of EUROCOPS. French general Olivier de Bavinchove, who has just arrived at Kabul, in order to prepare the take-over as New "Chief of Staff" for all the International Force in Afghanistan, due to become, on the 1st of Januray its No 3 in the Military Hierarchy, with overall competence extending to all sectors of activity and throughout all the Country, duringa crucial 2012 Year, up to 2013, i.e. while preparing a delicate progressive withdrawal of International forces, due to be replaced by Afghan trained Army, planned by the USA and its allies for 2014. Meanwhile, EUROCORPS aims to develop further its capacities to coordinate not only Land, but also Air and Sea operations, the Director of its Press Service, colonel Bruno Louisfert confirmed to "EuroFora".
- Therefore, we asked Longuet : - "Do you think that, in Future, mutatis mutandis, Europe would become able, thanks also to EUROCORPS where we are now, to lead such kind of (Military) operations or similar ones, f.ex., in another way, eventually in Syria or elsewhere, or Peace-keeping operations, with an equivalent efficiency, or, (on the contrary), we (Europeans) might still need to develop many things (before becoming able to act in such a way), f.ex. in the domain of Satellites (TeleCom, Observation, Command, etc) or other, which would, perhaps, be lacking today ?"
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- "Each theater of operation is a specific case, and each conflict unfolds in a special context, so that it wouldn't be reasonable to make general conclusions", carefully observed from the outset Longuet.
- But "there is, still, large room for National Initiatives, which prepare and incite International Organisations to trigger a Collective Decision", he optimistically added, not excluding a priori anything.
- "Each one has its own experience, from one country or region to another, its own knowledge of a theater (of possible military operations), with its History, its relations, its experience". But, "what I wish is that each Country adds all that to the (Common) benefit of the EU, in favor of the involvement of an International Law, which belongs to the UNO at this moment", the French Minister stressed, as a matter of Principle.
- "Are there any automatic processes ? Apparently not. Should we hold a Permanent Consultation" of all those concerned ? "That's true".
- Thus, f.ex., "EUROCORPS, where we are today, is a Remarkable Tool, but it can't be involved unless there is a Collective Decision", Longuet observed, (indirectly evoking, f.ex., the fact that as long as Germany wasn't initially convinced that it should fully participate in the International Coalition acting to protect the Libyan People, then, EUROCORPS' eventual use was, at least for the moment, out of question). "And the Collective Decisions have to follow the fore-mentioned procedure", (See supra).
- "That is to say, EUROCORPS is not an element of the 1st (Political/Diplomatic) move, even if it is its immediate (Military) Support, when the Collective Decision has been taken".
- "Now, could a Country act alone ? I think No". Because "I can't imagine an International action claiming to defend the Law, which might be Unilateraly decided by anyone today". "An Unilateral Decision, taken by one country it's frankly not the kind of decision needed by a therapeutic action in order to bring towards a Collective Decision", he pointed out, (obviously excluding Unilateral Military Invasions as f.ex. that of Turkey's Army in Cyprus since 1974, according also to a similar Criticism recently by CoE's Assembly, on a Report drafted by German MEP Ms Schuster, of the Governing Coalition of Liberals-ChristianDemocrats, which insists on "Collective" action and International Organizations' decisions, excluding for anyone to act alone, Unilateraly : Comp. relevant "EuroFora"s NewsReport published earlier).

+ "EUROCOPRS doesn't belong to (Political) Strategy, but to an Operational" field, "Lets' not go too far on that", Longuet also carefully limited himself to say later on, in reaction to another "EuroFora"s Question about whether EUROCORPS might, eventually, help overcome the Objections that some Partners, such as Russia, etc., still have vis a vis the need to act on Syria and/or other areas where People are often killed and seriously oppressed by an oppressive regime neighbouring the EU, without being protected by anyone until now....
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- Thus, "European Defense advances Slowly". But, "what is most important is to never be Degressive : I.e. to advance always, even if slowly.. It would be a pitty to waste an effort which was correctly initiated". F.ex. EUROCORPS already exists. Therefore, it's important, meanwhile, to at least "make use" of it at various occasions, in order to keep it in shape and augment its capacities, Longuet added later in reply to another Journalist's question, which prolonged our's.
"EU Ministers of Defence should come more often in Strasbourg", he joked, speaking both of EUROCORPS' Member Countries and others..
"Today NATO has to make a lot of Economies, and, in this framework, I don't see why it wouldn't use some organisations, which are exterior to it, legally and financialy, but compatible and complementary", Longuet thought.
However, EU Parliament has clearly "proposed to place EUROCORPS as a Standing Force under EU Command, and invite(d) all (EU) Member States to contribute to it, according to a Resolution adopted by MEPs as early as since June 2008, an EUROCORPS' Press file reminded Journalists today... (+ See also infra).
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+ Concerning "EuroFora" Questions' specific point on Capabilities, Longuet explained afterwards that "USA brought in (the International Coalition) some instruments that Europeans can't yet set in motion, (as he said), such as the AWACS and Airplane re-Fuelling in particular, but, as far as it concerns most Air-Strikes and almost all Pilots, it was for Europeans to act, accompagned by our Arab allies"'. Indeed, after a while, "the Americans chose to keep away from most AirStrikes, but this didn't hinder the Positive Result of this Operation, i.e. to Neutralize Kaddafi's Military forces that he aimed to use against his own People", he reminded.
- But, "concerning the (Military) Equipments, the excellent quality of the Airborn, Maritime or Helicopter instruments used by France was tested and proved on the spot" during the Libyan operation, he underlined.
+ "Now, we must take some Time for Reflexion and Analysis", so that "in about 1 Month we could present in Public some useful Conclusions, with Witnesses who could give us the first lessons", from the Libyan experience, "as far as it concerns both the chain of integrated Military Commandment, the place of each Nation inside the International Operation, and, naturally, on how behaved the Men and the Equipments at their disposal".
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- As for the Political and Social Future of Libya itself, "it's for Libyans themselves to choose now. But we (the International Coalition) didn't fight for Sharia : We fought for Freedom of choice for the Libyan People", and "I personally believe that Freedom cannot be reconciled with a Conservatism which would be contrary to the Values for which we all struggled", the French Minister softly but clearly warned, in reply to other Journalists' questions.
- "It's not for us to say what the NTC wil decide. But whenever we spoke before, (Libyan Prime Minister) Jibril was crystal clear about being in favor of a Modern Islam". "Several Muslim Countries succeeded to deal with that in a Modern way, as f.ex. Tunisia until now, and that's the wish I'd have for what they will decide. But their decision will be taken by a (forthcoming) Vote", Longuet soberly observed.
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+ EU PARLIAMENT's DEBATE WITH MEPS :
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- Speaking later this evening to EU Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee, including MEPs of the Security and Defence su-Committee, on the sidelines of this week's Plenary Session in Strasbourg, the French Minister, (who had a long Experience in the Past also as former Minister for Telecoms and in the Ministry of Industry), warned MEPs that the current Global Crisis must not affect "EU's Industrial basis, in order not to undermine the Autonomy of the European Defence", as he observed.
- Longuet revealed to MEPs that the current Polish EU Council's Presidency, after consultations with France and Germany in the framework of Weimar's triangle, would present some interesting, "'Ambitious" Proposals for the Development of EU Security and Defence Policy "before the end of the year" 2011.
After the recent Succes of the Operation establlishing an Air Exclusion Zone in Libya and other airborn activities to help the Libyan People, (mainly led by willing EU Countries), the Future of EU's Defence poicy raised now some Topical Questions as f.ex. that of the creation of a Joint EU Staff HQ. (Etat Major), Burden-Sharing on Equipment, etc., as well as that of which Operations might be pursued, etc., he noted.
He reminded that, since the 1992 Historic agreement of Saint-Malo, (mainly between France and the UK, etc), as well as of the Koeln deal on 1999, the 2008 French EU Presidency "contributed" to make progress towards an EU Security/Defence Policy, where France stresses in particular the importance of being "Operational" and of developig the required "Capacities", including by safeguarding an "Industrial Base" required for EU Defense's "Autonomy".
Among various still on-going Operations, EU plays a key role in the International Initiative against Piracy, protecting Sea Ships from which depend 90% of Trade Exchanges Worldwide, cooperates with Russia in Tchad, has an Observation mission on the spot in Georgia since to the Sarkozy 8/2008 Agreements (comp. "EuroFora"s NewsReport from Brixen/Bressanone of 8/2008à, while also keeps Forces in the Balkans (at Kosovo and Bosnia), at the same time that, after the entry into force of Lisbon Treaty, EU appointed its Special Representative for Common Security/Defense and Foreign Policy, Baroness Cathy Ashton on 2009 and staffed its External Action Service swith 6.000 Diplomats, eyes to develop EU's Defence Agency, (f.ex. on Refueling Airplanes, etc), i.e. advanced, "Slowly but with visibility".
Now EU Defence Ministers are due to meet on November 30, 2011, while the recent Proposal (by a joint Letter of France, UK and Belgium's Defence Ministers) to create an EU Joint Staff HeadQuarters, able to Think, Prepare and Planify action, has to overcome the current "lack of Unanimity" by becoming more precise. But on Regional Maritime Cooperation, EU seems ready to adance further, while Libya just entered a Stage for Police cooperation, Military being perhaps useful just to prevent Destabilisation of Borders and to realize Disarmament, he observed currently.
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+ During exchanges with some 15 MEPs from various EU Countries and Political Groups, he found naturally "interesting" the anouncement made by former EU Parliament's President, German ChristianDemocrat MEP Hans Gert Poettering, that, "on November", the Annual Congress of the Governing CDU/CSU Party would focus debates on EU Security and Defence Policy :

- "I raised (to French Minister Longuet) a question on S.A.F.E., which means : "Synchronised Armed Forces of Europe", i.e. that Soldiers should be able to interact together, Weapons Harmonized, partiicularly at a time when we have to Save Money, Research/Technology coordinated together, etc., and I stressed that I'm in favor of EU Forces", Poettering, who is now Chairman also of the prestigious and influent "Adenauer Foundation", explained afterwards to "EuroFora".
+ Meanwhile, "the Bureau of the (German Governing) ChristianDemocrat (CDU) Party decided this evening that the (Annual 2011) Congress, on November, will debate the issue, and already took a stance in favor of (the building up of) EU Military forces", Poettering added to "EuroFora".
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+ "EUROCORPS already exists, and we (EU) didn't use it yet soon enough, added later in reaction to other MEPs' observations Longuet, who also pointed at the importance of France and the UK's cooperation on European-led Defence operations, (as f.ex. in Libya, etc), as well as on equipment.
- "We have a good Cooperation and signed a few years ago an Agreement signed also by the (currently Governing) Conservatrive party", positively said about France and Britain's role on Defence issues, experienced Foreign Policy Spokesman of the Conservatives and Reformers' Group, British MEP Charlers Tannock to "EuroFora" afterwards.

However, Tannock, who appeared exceptionaly anxious to find out what was happening at the same time in Westminster, where some 111 MPs voted for a Referendum against UK's involvement in the EU, didn't mention EU Defence policy, while Prime Minister Cameron was making some interesting remarks in London, about EU's possible Changes which might bring €uroZone Countries closer together, while leaving the other 10 EU Member Countries evolve towards a less important relationship, particularly after UK's recent refusal of any Financial Bail-out and decision (together with France, Germany and the Netherlands) to freeze EU's Budget...
> But, in general, any Military tool is an Operational istrument, the use of which depends from a Political project, the French Minister observed, as a matter of principle.
=> Thereforee, it can have a Meaning only if there is a shared Analysis of the World, and if we have a Political Unity", Longuet stressed, apparently excluding as insufficient anything which might stay only at a Ministerial level, instead of extending at the Highest Political level.
Something which seems to underestimate the Full Potential of the Historic Decision, taken by French President Sarkozy and German Chancellor Merkel on August 16 (Comp. "EuroFora"s NewsReport from Elysee Palace on this Exceptional Franco-Geman Summit), which decided to propose, for the 1st time, to start organizing Regular €uroZone Heads of State/Government Summits...
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However, replying to Lithuanian mainstream MEP Landsbergis (ChristianDemocrat/EPP), who had expressed fears that some Ships sold by France to Russia might, eventually, be abused against Baltic States in the Future, Longuet expressed the view that "it's no more Westwards that Russia might have Problems, but elsewhere", so that EU should rather conclude a Stategic Partnership with Russia, and, whoever might feel unsafe, should better wish and act for the development of EU common Defence policy.

- The Protection of EU's external borders "doesn't exist yet", but "we (EU Countries) have to build it", admitted afterwards MEP Landsbergis from the Baltic area, speaking later with "EuroFora".
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- "It might be too soon to create an EU Army", smiled the experienced President of EU Parliament's Security and Defence Committee, French ChristianDemocrat/EPP MEP Arnould Danjean, speaking to "EuroFora", who, initially astonished, reminded him that he was, himself, EU's Rapporteur for the "Strategic Autonomy of the European Security/Defence policy", which was strongly supported by a clear Majority of MEPs who voted in favor in Strasbourg already since March 2010.
+ However, Danjean prefered, for the time being, to support the practical, concrete and strategic proposal tabled anew by Minister Longuet and others for the creation of an EU "HeadQuarters"' able to coordinate, organize and operate a Collective Operation by willing EU Member States, (i.e. precisely like EUROCORPS !)

=> Even more importantly, Chairman Danjean agreed spontaneously with "EuroFora" that such kind of Structures as, f.ex. EUROCORPS, EU's HQ, etc, able to act both inside and outside of NATO, i.e. also Autonomously, could be an ideal solution in order to succesfuly propose also some Key common projects with Strategic Countries which are reluctant or afraid of NATO's immixion, such as Russia, since a purely European Structure might help to alleviate Moscow's a.o.'s fears or reluctance vis a vis NATO, in order to lift its Veto at the UN SC over eventual International action, f.ex. in one among the most important Hotspots at this moment, such as Syria, etc.
+ Even more important, a purely European Defence structure could also liberate the EU from any Risk of more .. Turkish "VETOs", the experienced Danjean added, reminding a notoriously Grave and recurrent Problem, which threatened to put some Obstacles even at recently at the beginning of the International Coalition's operation to protect the Libyan People (since March 2011), and has already provoked too many Deadlocks, on various Hotspots, from the Balkans to Afghanistan, etc, to the point that even USA President Obama can't have forgotten the astonishing experience of NATO's 60th Anniversary Summit's blockade by Turkey for more than 2 Days, back on April 2009 in Strasbourg, because of Ankara's stubborn opposal to the election of its new Secretary General, former Danish Prime Minister Anders Rasmusen, which was only overcome after provoking an awful Waste of Time and Energy, and only after making to Turkey many concrete concessions inside NATO's secretariat, despite its growing profile as Troublemaker ...
(The French Minister had a long discussion with EPP's ESDP spokesman, mainstream Spanish MEP Salafranca).
(NDLR : "DraftNews", as already sent earlier to "EuroFora"s Subscribers/Donors. Watch out for a possible Final Version, more accurate and complete, asap).
***
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Benedict's "Source" to revitalize Europe : - "The World needs Hope", Pope says, calling to relaunch E.U. via Human Rights !
Paris - Lourdes - Strasbourg : 12 - 17 September 2008.
The vital need to re-launch Europe can be succesfully met by defending fundamental Human Rights of the People, said Pope Benedict XVI in his 1st speech in France, at his meeting with President Nicolas Sarkozy, who currently chairs the EU.
Sarkozy replied by welcoming Christian and other religions' contribution to indispensable Public Debates on crucial issues which affect Human Dignity, Europe, even Humankind, as BioGenetics.
- "When Europeans will see and personally experience that the inalienable Rights of the Human Person .., those of their free Education, their Family life, their Work, ..their Religious Rights, ..are respected and promoted, then, these Europeans will fully understand the greatness of the European construction and will be actively involved in it", Benedict XVI stressed.
- "It's important that during France's EU Presidency, there is, indeed, a desire for the Church to contribute to protect Human Person's integrity, and I think that there is also a growing Conscience, beyond any polemics, to defend Human Rights, and, thus, contribute to ensure respect for Human Dignity", added to "EuroFora" the Pope's Spokesman, Vatican's Press Director Federico Lombardi.
- "Nobody really told us here that Lisbon Treaty was good for this or that reason to the People. They only told us that we "had" to ratify it, and tried to scare us, but failed", said 2 Irish pilgrims to "EuroFora", after 2 Majority Abstentions in 1999 and 2004 EU Elections and 3 "NO" to Referenda in France and the Netherlands in 2005, followed by the Irish "No" in 2008, during a Decade of EU Crisis since the controversial Turkey EU- bid (1999-2008).
More than .."224 cases of Murders, Torture, "Disappearancies" or Destructions" by "agents of Turkish Security forces", where all those responsible for so heavy Crimes still remain scandalously unpunished, despite regular condemnations of Ankara by Strasbourg''s European Court of Human Rights from 1996 to 2008, were examined the same week by CoE's Ministers, who decided to launch a fresh call "urging" the Turkish Authorities to end this dangerous "virtual Impunity" of criminals, without comparison to European countries.
- "Why not Ukraine, instead of Turkey ?", asked EuroFora a Journalist from "Kiev : the city where it's enough to cross the streets in order to realize that it's a European town", as Sarkozy recently said, before solemnly declaring this week, together with Ukranian President Jushenko and EU Commission's chair Baroso, EU's "recognition that Ukraine is a fully European Country, linked to Europe by culture and History".

Europe's "Christian roots" and Values, with "openess and mutual respect" to other cultures and beliefs, were highlighted by Sarkozy in harmony with Benedict XVI.
The Human person should be protected "from his inception until his natural death", added the Pope, faithful to BioEthic principles defended by his predecessor and collaborator, John Paul II, of topical importance in France, Europe and the World today, as Sarkozy announced :
- "Fast and important progres in Genetic Science and procreation raise delicate BioEthical Questions to our Democracies", which "involve our view of Humans and Life, and can lead to Social Mutations. That's why they cannot remain only a business of experts", hestressed.
- "It's Politician's responsibility to set a proper framework for such Public Debates", as "France will do on BioEthics in 2009". "Religious and Philosophic traditions must take part, with their ideas and centuries' long experience : A positive Laicity is an open invitation to Dialogue", he said.
- "France engaged in Europe at another Debate on how to make Financial Capitalism more moral", and the "Social doctrine of the Church fits well what is at stake in modern Globalized Economy"
- "But, a "Real Dialogue is not for an elite of a Globalized world : It penetrates deep into the People : That's why Churches should actively participate : .. It's bringing New Oxygen to Public Debates", stressed Sarkozy.
- "Democracy must not be cut off Reason", which is "compatible with Faith", thanks to "the meeting between Christianism and Greek philosophy ", he added, referring to Pope's views. "It means to advance with logic arguments, search what's best and respect common principles of thinking :... It's an everyday need for Public Administration and the Political Debate", he added.
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Pope Benedict's 1st visit to France looked like the start of a brillant, manifold demonstration that this was well-founded and could become true in the lives of the People : After its Theoretical foundations unfolded at a "speech to the world of Culture", inaugurating Bernadins' cultural centre, and its dogmatic instrument shaped at an address to the Clergy in the Historic Notre Dame' Cathedral, he started to resolutely reach out to the People :

The move went upwards like Bach's music : Begining with a call to more than fifteen thousand enthousiastic Youngsters gathered at Notre Dame's parvis with overnight celebrations, it gained strength in an impressive open-air Mass at Paris'central Invalides'area facing Alexander III's bridge, attended by more than 150.000 people, French Prime Minister Fillon, many Ministers, Foreign Ambassadors, etc, and culminated in a series of pan-European Mega-meetings at Lourdes 150th anniversary, together with all French Bishops, EU Commission's vice-Chairman Barrot, and some 200.000 enthousiastic People from all over Europe and beyond : After a Sea of Lights astonishingly braved Saturday Night's rain, an open-air mass at riverside fields among Pyrenees' Mountains Sunday Morning, was followed on Monday by a Sea of "Compassion" to those facing Health or Life threats, surrounded by an endless gathering of People, whose gigantic dimensions obviously surprised the organisers..
Meanwhile, Benedict had the occasion to speak to the French Priests at Notre Dame of Paris, and with the Bishops at Lourdes, where they prepare a crucial November plenary meeting, due to take important decisions on imminent EU debates and choices about Europe's identity, BioEthics, etc.
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- "A new way of thinking about Laicity has become necessary", agreed the Pope with President Sarkozy at Elysee. While keeping the "distinction between Politics and Religion, to guarantee Citizens' Liberty", "religion is important for shaping Consciousness and contributing, together with others, to create a basic Ethical Consensus in society".
- "Searching Essential realities", (as "God" for christians), needs "Speech : "Logos" in greek, i.e. Reason", "able to shape a Community","with creative work transforming Human History". But "Dialogue" is instrumental for "Reason", because it's the way to "search" for Truth", in "Liberty", according to Greek Platonic Philosophy, with Socrates' dialectics. "Reason" implies "Spirit and Liberty", hence the polyphonic "Music" of "Dialogue", in a responsible, "well balanced" way, to avoid "destruction".
Starting with a "Dialogue between christians and intellectual or artistic movements" highlighted at Bernardins' Cultural Center. with former Presidents Chirac and Giscard d'Estain, UNESCO's chair Anastassopoulos, etc., as well as representatives of Muslim Communities, (including a separate Turkish), after contacts with Jews at Vatican's Embassy, the Pope turned towards the People :
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To French Priests : "Church built on the rock" !
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- Speaking to thousands of French Priests at Notre Dame's Cathedral, Benedict highlighted a solid "Church built on the Rock" of conscious and active persons, transmitting "a lively, energetic and sharp" "God's Speech, actively working on Human History".
"Praying together" with "representatives of Christian Churches and ecclesiastic communities", (as Orthodoxes, Armenians, Protestants, etc), he called "to reinforce the Unity of the church", against "any form of Division", around Holy Spirit', "the Word","Christ's Justice", and "Love" to fellow- humans : Essentials which "resume all holy scripts", as he said.
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To Young People : "New Horizons"
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To some 15.000 enthousiastic Young People at Notre Dame's parvis, along Seine's river, Benedict spoke about "the Energy of the Holy Spirit" and "the Mystery of the Cross" : - "The Holy Spirit opens New Horizons to Human Intelligence .. and makes it conscious of the real greatness of Christ's sacrifice, dying and resurecting for World's life".
Some "may slander you as crazy, laugh at you, or even persecute you. But, "the Holy Cross is a symbol of God's love", and "givesmoral strength" : "Witness of People's pains, it's at the same time, a precious, unique expression of their Hopes", he told them at Paris' dawn.
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Invalides' plateau : "People chosen to become God's friends"
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At the 1st open-air Mass in Paris' center area of Invalides, facing the Grand Palais, along the river Seine, during an impressive gathering of more than 150.000, French Prime Minister Fillon, Ministers Alliot-Marie, Bachelot, Dati, Jouyet, Assembly's President Accoyer, Senate's Chair Poncelet, former 1st Lady Bernadette Chirac, former Prime Minister Raffarin, many foreign Ambassadors, and other political personalities were present. (While earlier, from the Socialist opposition, Paris' Mayor Delanoye, artist Robert Hussein a.o. assisted at the Elysee meeting).
But the "Entry Song" focused on the "People chosen to become God's Friends". The September 11 mass was Dedicated to "Saint Chrysostomus, that great priest of Constantinople", with his "wonderful eloquence and great courage to face challenges", who "made out of despaired and godless people, a people of brothers", opening a possibility to "become all one complete entity", as Pope Benedict reminded.
- "Reason never enters in real contradiction with Faith", stressed Pope Benedict, who prepared his speeches for France during a short Summer rest at Brixen/Bressanone's Seminar, whose Library honors both "Faith and Science".. - "We must use not only our Reason, but also our Faith" : "Get away from Idolatry", "cupidity", "avidity for money, power or even knowledge deviating from essential aims", and other "falses appearances". and "build your Home on the Rock", "with the force that Holy Spirit gives to those who let it act in them", he said to the People of Paris.
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Benedict at Lourdes : - "Become Light (even) in the Dark !"
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- "Our World needs Hope", stressed Pope Benedict, addressing an impressive TorchLight procession at Lourdes' sanctuaries, where a Sea of Lights held by Hundreds of Thousands of People gathered at Pyrenee's Mountains from all over Europe astonishingly kept their flames despite a heavy Rain at a windy Dark Night...
- "150 years earlier (1858 - 2008), ..here, in the cave, ... a simple young girl, Bernadette .. saw a Light". "The everyday life of her Family was, however, made of Misery, Sadness, Sickness, Misunderstandings, Rejection and Poverty... It was hard to live in Jail". Today, "we think to all Human Beings who suffer : The innocent Victims who face Violence, War, Terrorism, Hunger, Injustices, Catastrophes, Hate and Oppression, Violations of Human Dignity and of their fundamental Rights, of their Liberty to act and think. We also think to those who face Familial problems, sufferings from Unemployment, Sickness, Infirmity, Isolation, or their situation as Immigrants, without forgetting those who suffer and die for the name of Christ", he said.
- "But the Shadows of the Earth, did not hinder Sky's Light to shine : <<The Light shines in the Dark>>" ..."A Way full of Light opens in Human History even in its Darkest moments" : ..."As Night falls, Christ tels us : <<- Keep your Lamps alight !>>."Hold a Light while walking in the Night .. sums up our condition as Christians on their way : "We need light, and we are called to become Light !", Benedict stressed to People setting in motion Lights, Flags and Songs with enthousiasm.
"<<- She looked at me as a Person, who speaks to another Person>>, the poor girl had noted."Light emerges from such a Dialogue", stressed the Pope : "A small Flame called Hope, Compassion and Tenderness dwells inside those who return after being moved by Lourdes' experience". "Christ .. entrusts us with the Mission to let the Light of Charity shine : To make of our Prayers an Act of Love to our brothers and to Fraternal Charity", he concluded.
(../..)