Interview given by Michel Barnier, to France 2's "Les Quatre Vérités" programme (excerpts)

Paris, April 28, 2005

TOGO

THE MINISTER – We are, of course, following this situation closely, we want calm to return and all those who have Togo's future in their hands, the political leaders, Togolese citizens, to talk to each other. As regards the poll which has just taken place, I have simply noted, as the United Nations Secretary-General did on Sunday, as did ECOWAS – the Africans themselves did so –, that in spite of the incidents it had on the whole proceeded satisfactorily; I have never commented on the result.

I mean that France's policy on this poll is very clear: not during, not before, not after and in the future France will not interfere. France won’t interfere in Togo's affairs. Togo's future is in the hands of the Togolese and, of course, if the Togolese so wish, the African countries all around her, the African Union must support the country's development and the European Union, which we are part of, will be present as a partner, but there won't be any interference.

THE MINISTER – It's for the Togolese to find the path of dialogue, mutual respect, in order to tackle this new stage in their destiny, in a new way. We want, as Europeans, to be partners of the African Union and this country, but once again there won't be any interference.

THE MINISTER – There have indeed been a number of incidents which may in fact have involved French nationals. Our thoughts are with them, and our embassy is totally mobilized to support them. It's not only French nationals who are involved, other communities have also been affected by these incidents.

THE MINISTER – Our services in the local area and the embassy are totally mobilized to support and protect the French.

CHINA/TEXTILE IMPORTS

THE MINISTER – We are expecting, on the basis of the decision the Commission took yesterday – and it was good that it did so – a very rapid investigation into these massive imports of pullovers, socks, etc., which are destabilizing and will potentially destroy a lot of jobs, are destroying a lot of jobs. So a very rapid investigation into these massive imports of low-priced products, in the next few weeks, followed by investigations in the framework of the World Trade Organization, within its normal timeframe, and then very rapid decisions in the next few weeks, decisions on safeguard action which the Commission has to take.

THE MINISTER – It means quotas, after completing the investigation into these massive imports which are destabilizing and even thwarting the efforts which many manufacturers have been making for years. We have supported these efforts by the textile industry. We can't accept them being destabilized, and the defence of jobs can't wait.

THE MINISTER – Everyone is affected. In Paris the day before yesterday, we had a meeting with the Federal German Chancellor – Germany is far less affected because she hasn't got a large textile industry as we have – there was real solidarity. There are around 12 or 13 countries with such problems, not counting the Mediterranean Rim countries of Morocco and Tunisia. So there's a real problem and I believe that the Chinese have to recognize it, and we have to find solutions right now through dialogue and, if necessary, in the next few weeks through safeguard measures.

THE MINISTER – I think that the European Commission is doing its job by investigating these problems and taking these safeguard measures, it's got to take them rapidly. (...)./.