"France fully supports the Peace Process" - French minister

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 11 February 2003, 16:42 GMT]
The French foreign minister Dr.Renaud Muselier who arrived in Jaffna by air Tuesday said that the international community would not allow the present process to collapse, sources said.

Dr.Renaud Muselier visited the renovated Jaffna Municipal Council and handed over a consignment of eight hundred French language books. Later he visited Jaffna teaching hospital. Thereafter he laid the foundation stone for a housing project at Allaipitty.

The French government has allocated 20 million rupees for the construction of two hundred houses under this resettlement project, sources said.

Later the French foreign minister speaking to the local journalists said that his country would not send back Tamils from France against their wish. However his government would assist Tamils who prefer to return back to SriLanka.

"My government will every effort to make the present peace process a success," said Dr.Renaud Muselier, French foreign minister.

Dr Renaud Muslier was accompanied by the Minister for Rehabilitation, Reconstruction and Reconciliation Dr.Jayalath Jayawardene, Jaffna area commander of the Sri Lanka Army Major General Sarath Fonseka and other security officials.