newsitems
Presidency candidate Hollande (S) to EuroFora: "Turkey doesn't meet EU Criteria ..for the moment..
Presidency candidate Hollande (S) to EuroFora: "Turkey doesn't meet EU Criteria ..for the moment..

*"Strasbourg Days 2012"/ACM/- Even if it's obvious that Turkey doesn't yet meet the Conditions for eventual EU Accession, on the contrary, it's not excluded that Ankara might enter inside the EU at any point in the Future, nor that some Technocrats won't, suddenly, claim that Human Rights, Democracy and Rule of Law criteria would have been met by the Turkish Authorities, even if this would be in blatant contradiction with the Facts, as back on 1999-2004, if we judge by the Replies that "Socialist" Candidate Hollande gave to "EuroFora"s Questions today ;
- "EuroFora" initially started by asking Hollande "what is really (his) position on EU's Enlargement".
- "To which Country ?", Hollande asked.
- "Obviously for the most controversial question : That of Turkey, considering, in particular the problems it raises for the EU, also on Human Rights, Democracy, and other issues", we pointed out.
- "I think that, for Turkey, the Conditions (to EU Enlargement) are not fullfilled", Hollande replied.
+ "And in the foreseable Future ?", asked, in an obviously necessary complementary question, "Eurofora" in addition.
- Today, "there is a Process, which must be respected", started to reply Hollande, pointing to the controversial and unpopular Turkey - EU Negotiations, that some persist still to call "Accession" Talks, (despite the Democratic mandate given by a Majority of EU Citizens to French and German, but also Austrian, Dutch, Belgian, Bulgarian and other Governments and/or Election Winner Parties, as well as to the biggest EU Parliament's 2009 Elections' EPP Group of MEPs, to Stop Ankara's EU claims), while others have started to name "Open Ended" Talks, (i.e. able to lead also to an eventual "Strategic Partnership", not to Full Accession), according also to Official EU Council's Decisions since 2006. This same "process" also serves, in practice, as a Legal and Political pretext in order to start Funding the Turkish Government, since 2001 with a growing, Big amount of Money, now near to 1 Billion € each Year in Grants, (i.e. the equivalent to some 400 Billions € in Loans), from EU Taxpayers'Money (including the Poor who pay VAT), equal to... EU's most important Space program for High-Tech Innovative Infrastructures on "Global Monitoring for Environment and Security", alias GMES, which is notoriously threatened recently, because of lack of available EU Funds, ... (See relevant, recent "EuroFora"s NewsReports).
+ "But the conditions (for Turkey's EU Accession) are not fulfilled..." yet, he reiterated carefully.
- "... for the Moment", as the 2012 "Socialist" Party's candidate for the forthcoming French Presidential Elections, chosing carefully his words, concluded, by adding a Crucial point which obviously Changes everything...
=> I.e., to put it in a nutshell, for Hollande, only the present (i.e. up to the late April - early May 2012 Vote) situation is certain, (because of Turkey's blatant reluctance to fulfill EU Conditions, particularly on Democracy - Human Rights), while, on the contary, ... anything may happen afterwards !
Including, last but not least, for French and other EU Citizens to have to face, sooner or later, at some "Other Moment" during the 2012-2017 period, eventually, a "Socialist" Government in Paris and/or elsewhere inside the EU, suddenly claiming, anew, that the notoriously undemocratic, oppressive and aggressive Turkish Government would have "fulfilled far enough" the EU Conditions, even if, in fact, it would not have done so at all, except from a few cover-up, "Publicity" attempts to Mislead the Public Opinion with False Appearances or even Grossly Erroneous Claims by some astonishingly stuborn proponents of Ankara's controversial EU bid, probably most driven by some shady, in fact Anti-European Networks notoriously searching a way to undermine Europe through Turkey's unpopular attempts to enter into the EU, which would obviously Exclude any European Identity, Destroy Social Cohesion, Dangerously Expose Europe to Iraqi, Syrian and Irani Borders, empty EU's Budget, grossly violate Modern Europe's Values on Human Rights and Democracy, practically throwing EU Citizen's Rights to the WasteBasket, inundate the EU with Mass Immigration from Asia notoriously unwilling to integrate so that EU Countries would be infiltrated by "Ghettos" monitored from Abroad by "remote control", while also giving a Right to Vote in immediately forthcoming Local/Regional Elections in France (2013-2014) to Non-European Immigrants, so that a recent Massive Turkish Immigration, rejected by Switzerland and/or Germany/Austria, penetrates even more in N/E France, (according to Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan's 2010 call in Paris), to take the formal "Papers" needed in order to start Manipulating several French Votes by its, Externaly Monitored, non-integrated Ghetto-Lobbying (comp. supra)....
Already, EU's 1999 and CoE's 2004 decisions, to, respectively, accept Turkey's controversial and unpopular EU "Candidacy", as well as to claim that Turkish Authorities would have fullfilled almost all Human Rights, Democracy and Rule of Law commitments vis a vis the CoE, so that the famous "Copenhagen Criteria" would have been, reportedly, already met, allowing Ankara to start lucrative EU Accession Negotiations (costing more than 850.000 € each Year) from 2005, notoriously astonished and revolted many People, resulting to the three "No" to EuroReferenda since 2005 in France and the Netherlands, followed by Ireland, etc., after the sudden emergence of rapidly growing, unprecedented Majority Abstentions in EU Parliament's Elections, precisely, from 1999-2004.
=> Such a Dangerous Ambiguity about the Future, particularly on a so Crucial issue as that of Turkey's controversial and unpopular EU bid, (Comp. "EuroFora"s 2nd, complementary Question to Hollande and his Reply : Supra),
cannot but aggravate precisely what the "Socialist" candidate himself had denounced, earlier today himself, as "a Feeling of Deprivation and a Disillusion,...in European Politics", "when a Sovereign People feels that it has no more of the capacity to decide itself on its own Fate", and when appears "a growing distance between Promisses and Acts, and a growing Gap between the Expression of Political Will, and the Heavy Obstacles which might oppose progress" ...

Because it's simply scandalous to Threaten People even on 2012 with Turkey's controversial and unpopular EU entry demand, while crystal-clear Majorities have already Voted to exclude any such risk, repeatedly, since the 2005 "NO" to EuroReferenda in France and the Netherlands, particularly on 2007 French Elections, on 2009 in German and EU Parliament's Elections, etc. as well as in various other EU Countries between 2009-2011 !
+ Moreover, it's Incompatible with any wish to "help emerge a European Dream", as Hollande said that he wanted to do "though a French Dream", if anyone brought EU Citizens, on the contrary, face to face with the "Nightmare" of a notoriously undemocratic, Oppressive Turkish Government, with Thousands of even Elected MPs, Mayors or Journalists currently Jailed in Prisons, Press Liberties and Freedom of Expression arbitrarily oppressed, Turkish Army occupying the Northern part of Cyprus, threatening Greece in the Aegean Sea, launching Deadly Attacks inside Iraq, blocking Armenian survivors of the 1st Genocide in Modern History, a scandalous Impunity of Torturers or Murderers, (often Turkish State's Agents), Hundreds of Thousands of Refugees still Hindered to return to their Family Homes and Ancestral Land from which they were Brutally expelled, still Disposessed of their usurpated Homes and private Properties contrary to ECHR's case-Law, Families of "Missing" Persons still ignoring what really happened to their beloved ones and who is Responsible for their Enforced Disappearance, with Archives and other vital information being kept Secret by the Turkish Authorities and Killers totally unpunished in blatant Violation of ECHR's judgements : A Dangerous Precedent full of obvious Risks also for the Future of Humankind, (etc)... Particularly if such scandalously unpunished and dangerous Criminals and other Corrupted and Abusive Turkish State Agents, started even to ..circulate among EU Citizens' children, inside the EU, spending EU Taxpayers' Money, by consuming EU Funds equivalent to those from which is currently deprived even he biggest, High-Tech Space Program of the EU : the famous "Global Monitoring for Environment and Security" (GMES : See relevant "EuroFora"s recent NewsReports),..
Hollande, who had just finished, before speaking to "EuroFora", a Dialogue with a German Socialist Philosopher from nearby Karlsruhe, in Strasbourg's Opera, in the framework of a 3 Days-long Annual Political Debates event organized by "Socialist" Magazine "Nouvel Observateur" and the Association "Europa Nostra" (where his participation was anounced only at the last minute), except from ostensibly drinking a ..."Turkish coffee" earlier in a Suburb, (an apparently "innocent", pittoresque act), hasn't yet done anything, at least at our knowledge (which is, however, rather limited as far as his Past activities are concerned), which might, eventually, lead to Doubt about his personal Objectivity and/or Honesty concerning key Facts on Turkey. But, given also the Fact that he's notoriously surrounded by other "Socialist" Politicians who unquestionably have serious Responsibilities already for attributing to Turkey's controversial and unpopular EU bid the lucrative Status of "EU Accession Candidate" back on December 1999, (such as former PM. Jospin, former MInister for EU affaits Moscovici, and others), as well as the recent trend of most "Socialist" Parties to systematically accept and even push Turkey's controversial and unpopular EU Bid (at least since 1999-2000+), added to the Total Absence of Any Guarantee that, this time, any eventually Crucial Decision on EU-Turkey relations would be really taken on the basis of Objective Criteria, contrary to the Negative, obviously Arbitrary and/or Irrational Decisions taken on December 1999 and 2004 falsely claiming that Ankara would have fulfilled its Human Rights/Democracy and Rule of Law obligations (sic!), it's naturally very Difficult, if not totaly Impossible to Blindly Trust Now his Hypothetic "Bona Fides" alone, particularly in an issue with so High Stakes, even in Global GeoPolitics, as Turkey's EU relations....
------------------------
Hollande's approach on Turkey's controversial and unpopular EU bid, as it was resumed today in his replies to "EuroFora"s question, (Comp. Supra) differs from that of President Sarkozy mainly on the following crucial points :
1) - Hollande accepts that Turkey could become, one day, a full EU Member. On the contrary, Sarkozy believes that Turkey is not a European Country, and (as Merkel and others) rejects Ankara's EU bid as dangerous against the desired development, in the Future, of a Strong, Political Europe with an Historic and Cultural Identity able to attract a large Popular support.
2) - But, "for the moment" Hollande says that "Turkey does not fullfil the Conditions" for EU Accession, without, however, giving any idea about when this might be done : F.ex. in the following few years up to 2014 or after 20 Years ? Obviously, this Fact inevitably provokes the Suspicion to be only a pre-Electoral truc, since he could Change his mind at any moment afterwards...
On the contrary, Sarkozy (as well as Merkel and others) have a crystal-clear stance on this point, considering that Turkey, similar to other Neighbouring Countries, from Morocco (which had been already refused EU candidate status in the Past) through Ankara up to Russia, should better get a kind of "Privileged Partnership" solution, allowing "closer relations" with the EU, but not full entry inside the EU.
This Democratically supported Franco-German stance, which has, in the meantime, won a clear Majority of EU Citizens, as not only France 2007 and Germany's 9/2009 Elections proved, but also People's Votes in EU Parliament's 7/2009 Elections, as well as in several other EU Countries since then, where it has started Spreading all around the EU : F.ex. in Austria, (even inside the UK in the 9/2009 Vote !), the Netherlands, Belgium, Bulgaria, Hungary, Finland, etc. Despite Turkish Government's provocative attempts (and even threats, if not Blackmails !) to change this into a Cultural Conflict, claiming even to bring (real or artificial)"Terrorism" and other more or less Violent Clashes in Europe, nevertheless, the growing opposition to Turkey's controversial and unpopular EU bid appears as the only common point in recent political developments throughout all Europe between 2005-2012...
3) Meanwhile, Hollande openly supports a process of EU - Turkey's "Accession" Negotiations, (as most "Socialist" parties in the EU), which gives to Ankara's Government some 1 Billion € each Year in full Grants, i.e. the equivalent of about 40 Billions € in Loans each Year !!!!), costing in EU Taxpayers' money (including the Poorest, who are obliged to pay VAT) as equally Expensive to EU's ... most important, High-Tech Space program GMES ("Monitoring for Environment and Security" : See recent "EuroFora"s NewsReports on MEP's protests and EU Parliament's Resolution denouncing the Lack of Money for the European Space Industry, while similar sums are currently wasted in Turkey's controversial and unpopular EU bid, even in the present time of Global Financial Crisis), scandalously, given the Democratically expressed opposal by a Majority of EU Citizens and several EU Governments (comp. Supra), and falsely claiming (Comp. Hollande's 2nd Reply to "EuroFora"s Question) that EU would be legally obliged to continue doing so, even if Turkey still Refuses to respect its own Commitments that it officially undertook, precisely, since 2004, as a Condition for such EU - Turkey Negotiations to start ! (i.e. to Stop Discriminating against EU Member Cyprus' related Ships and Airplanes, etc., the failure to do so, normally, being enough in order to Suspend the Negotiation process, particularly considered in addition to many other Turkey's persisting Failures to respect also several more of its Obligations, f.ex. on Human Rights/Democracy, etc).
On the contrary, Sarkozy, after initially promissing to put a clear and unequivocal, full Stop to EU - Turkey's controversial and unpopular EU bid, was notoriously obliged (by EU Commission President Barroso and some former "Socialist" Governments' opposal back on August 2007, at the same moment that even his personal life was notoriously hit), to propose a Compromise (together with Prime Minister Fillon) consisting in 2 Conditions in order not to Block EU - Turkey's Negotiations : (a) Refusal to open 4 or 5 Negotiation Chapters which are considered as part of a Full EU Membership, (f.ex. participation to EU Institutions, Cohesion funds, EU Citizenship, Free Movement/Shengen, €uroArea, etc), and : (b) A call to start a serious, EU-wide Debate on Europe's Future, (which would include also the issues of EU's Political dimension, Identity, Borders, etc).
Since then, as it is well known, the EU Commission was obliged to respect the 1st Condition, (which, of course, remains Valid, in practice, as long as ... Sarkozy will remain France's President, risking to "vanish" as hot air if things turned otherwise...
But it scandalously undermined the 2nd Condition, after a Bureaucratic manoeuver in Brussels' corridors scandalously "burried" the issue, by Excluding EU Citizens' Public Debates, and downgrading it only in a controversial small "Committee" Report on 2010, prepared by an appointed Secretariat directed by a certain "Dr. Türk", a Slovenian Expert in ... Computer issues, completely unknown to EU Citizens, and then hired only by ...Turkey's Instabul University for a part-time Job, as well as chaired by former "Socialist" Spanish P.M. Gonzalez, a notorious suppporter of Turkey's controversial and unpopular EU bid, known for having formed a "Duo" with Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan in a MultiCultural project, etc, (See : http://www.eurofora.net/newsflashes/news/colmarbrussels.html ), so that the matter wasn't pursued at all until now.
However, EU's Political 2012 Landscape is much Better and adequate now, than what it was back on August 2007, for the realization of that Sarkozy's idea, (a compromise deal with EU Commission's President Barroso : Comp. supra). Because, meanwhile, Democratic Elections in many EU Countries allowed to the People, at least partly also inspired by France's 2007 example with Sarkozy, to Vote into power several Political Leaders and/or considerably strengethen New Political Parties, whose views on Turkey's controversial and unpopular EU bid are closer, if not quasi - Identical to the French President's : F.ex. in Germany, Austria, Holland, Belgium, Hungary, Bulgaria, Sweden, Finland, Greece, Ireland, etc., and even in the UK an unknown Party surprised by winning more MEPs than the Liberals and even than the then Governing Labor Party immediately after it entered the Vote with No 1 issue the "No to Turkey's entry in the EU", while also EU Parliament's 2009 Elections were largely won by Sarkozy's allies of the ChristianDemocrat/EPP Party both in France and Germany but also elsewhere throughout Europe.
Moreover, several experienced or new EuroPoliticians have already told "EuroFora" that they also feel that Time has come for such a Debate to start in Europe, by a potentialy interesting coincidence, at the same moment that Sarkozy anounced his intention to start using a "Referendum" method of reaching out to the People whenever "intermediaries" might eventually refuse to move on key issues, and the same year that "EU Citizens' Initiative" is expected to start working probably from April 2012, as informed EU sources told "EuroFora"...
---------------------------------------------
=> Could the "crossroads" issue of Turkey's controversial and unpopular EU bid, (in fact, a meeting point of many crucial problems in Human Rights/Democracy/Rule of Law, EU Budget and Cohesion, European Culture, History and Identity, Europe's Borders and GeoPolitical games between EU and USA, etc.), became as crucial for 2012 French Elections as back on 2007, considering also wjat the experienced former Prime Minister, Michel Rocard, (PSoc.), said immediately after the Hollande's dialogue in Strasbourg's Opera to "EuroFora" ?
- Questioned in general about "European issues", Rocard replied that "EU matters, recently appear rather risky and complicated, so that I think that the don't have a big importance right now".
+ " But I am convinced that it (Europe) can emerge anew, this time, during the confrontation... " at the 2012 French Presidential Election's campaign, Rocard speculated....
------------------------------------------
However, in this case, it doesn't seem that the far more Crucial issue of Turkey's controversial and unpopular EU bid, which affects so many EU matters, (f.ex. Human Rights/Democracy, Europe's Borders, History and/or Identity, Social Cohesion, High-Tech. Development or Low level "services" and over-Exploitation, the well-known Dillema : "a weak Market, or a Strong Political Europe with Popular support ?", EU's message to the World, etc), might be overshadowed by the also important, but not equaly crucial issue of Hollande's controversial wish to review the €uroArea Governance Treaty, (which, naturally sparked a growing "Hot" debate recently) :

- "Do you need a Large ReNegociation for the Changes that you want on €uroArea (Governance) Treaty, about Economic issues ?", "EuroFora" asked later Hollande.
- "Yes !", firmly stressed Hollande, without any hesitation, in reply to "EuroFora"s question if he meant "Big" Changes, or small.
- "In order to add also (something on) Growth", he went on to add, but wihout specifying at this moment.
Speaking shortly later in Strasbourg, in a Public Debate with former Greek Prime Minister Giorgos Papandreou, "Green" Group's vice-President, MEP Daniel Kohn-Bendit, initially tried to Minimize the scope of the Changes wished by Hollande in €uroArea Governance's Treaty :
- He (Hollande) just wants to add 2 "simple" References : 1) on the aim of Growth, and 2) on CEB's role for that purpose, softly - softly said Mr. Kohn - Bendit with an unusually ..."relaxing" tone..., as if it was nothing important, just a tiny, innocent butterfly flying in the woods...
But, considering the fact that the Official EU Text already Signed by 25 Heads of State/Government, already has some References on "Growth", (comp. "EuroFora"s recent, relevant NewsReport), while Sarkozy, (in what looks as a kind of silent but efficient Deal with Merkel and Monti, etc., since End November - beginning of December 2011), has already managed to succesffully launch the European Central Bank's interventions in €uroArea's Financial Markets twice until now, (in both cases, with very Positive Results : December 2011 and Februar 2012),
and taking also into account even the notorious fact that .. Mr. Kohn-Bendit doesn't really use to speak so .. "Softly" (Comp. Supra),
=> we'd bet that, probably, Hollande's pals will soon anxiously try to Cover-up this starting 2012 Turkey, really "Hot" issue, with anything might excite and divert attention away from it, including, precisely, the €uro-Treaty Change Controversy, (as well as ANYTHING ELSE)....
------------------------------------------------
(../..)
(NDLR : "DraftNews", as it was already sent to "EuroFora"s Subscribers/Donors earlier. A more accurate and full, Final Version is due asap).
***
Main Menu
Home Press Deontology/Ethics 2009 Innovation Year EU endorses EuroFora's idea Multi-Lingual FORUM Subscribers/Donors FAQs Advanced search EuroFora supports Seabird newsitems In Brief European Headquarters' MAPs CoE Journalists Protection PlatformBRIEF NEWS
- 00:00 - 02.06.2021
- 00:00 - 18.10.2020
- 00:00 - 19.06.2020
- 00:00 - 18.05.2020
- 00:00 - 20.04.2020
- 00:00 - 02.02.2020
- 00:00 - 09.12.2019
- 00:00 - 27.11.2019
- 00:00 - 16.11.2019
Popular
- Yes, we could have prevented Ferguson riots says World Democracy Forum's Young American NGO to ERFRA
- Spanish People Elect CenterRIGHT Majority with 1st Party and Total of 178 MPs (6 More than the Left)
- Pflimlin's vision
- The European Athletic "Dream Team", after Barcelona 2010 Sport Championship Results
- Source Conseil d'Europe à ERFRA: Debatre Liberté d'Opposants à Loi livrant Mariage+Enfants à Homos ?
- Head of BioEthics InterGroup, MEP Peter Liese : "Embryonic stem cell research reaching its END" !?
- Spain: Jailed Turkish Terror suspect with Explosive,Drones,Chechen accomplices stirs Merah+ Burgas ?
- UN Head Ban Ki Moon at CoE World Democracy Forum : - "Listen to the People !"
Latest News
- Test Photos (f.ex.+ Invit to EU + Korea Peace meeting)
- EUOmbudsmen Conference 2022: Digital Gaps affect People's Trust threaten EF Project on EU Future ?
- French Election : Black Out on Virus, but Obligation for Fake 'Vaccines" Challenged
- Both French Presidential Candidates point at "Humanism" in crucial times...
- France : Zemmour = Outsider may become Game Changer in Presidential + Parliamentary Elections 2022
Statistics
Visitors: 67430223Archive
Login Form
Other Menu

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.
----------------------------
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.
-------
- "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 :

-------------------
To French Priests : "Church built on the rock" !
---------------------

- 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.

-----------------------
To Young People : "New Horizons"
------------------------
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.

----------------------------------
Invalides' plateau : "People chosen to become God's friends"
---------------------------------------
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.

--------------------------------------------------
Benedict at Lourdes : - "Become Light (even) in the Dark !"
------------------------------------------------------------------
- "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.


(../..)

















