French Embassy responds

With reference to Ms. Yulia Suryakusuma's letter No-Nukes incident published by The Jakarta Post on July 19, 1995, I deem it necessary to give the following response.

Thank you for your letter. I was happy to make your acquaintance on the occasion of July 14 celebration. I probably don't feel the same way as you do with regard to hospitality and I thought that it would not be proper to turn an evening of friendship and festivities into a political demonstration.

I don't think that a reception on the occasion of the French National Day, gathering guests who were personally invited, is a good occasion to distribute stickers as you have started to do. I have too much respect for my Indonesian guests to get them involved in such outbursts, especially on the day that symbolizes for French human rights and democracy.

I am not at all opposed to dialog and I highly respect points of view which are different from mine. I had thus the opportunity, during July 14 reception, to discuss with prominent figures who did not agree with the French policy on the resumption of nuclear tests. I am sure that these encounters have been profitable for both sides and I am glad of it. Everything has remained within the limits of courtesy.

I hope that the incident you wished to cause was useful to your personal publicity. As you deemed it useful to publish your letter, allow me in turn to pass on my answer to the press. I would like to have the opportunity to listen to you and--who knows--to convince you of France's determination to proceed with the nuclear tests that are limited in number and harmless to the environment, and to sign with all the countries concerned, in the fall of 1996, the Treaty definitely banning all nuclear tests. I am positive that in our common quest of responsible peace, we shall find a common ground for understanding.

THIERRY DE BEAUCE

Ambassador

French Embassy, Jakarta