4.6.2 THE VISIT OF PRESIDENT
FRANÇOIS MITTERAND IN NIGER (MAY 19TH TO 21ST, 1982).
In this Wednesday, May 19th, 1982, it was hot, very
hot. May is the month more brilliant of the year in the Sahelian countries and
particularly in Niger. However, at the occasion of the arrival of French
President, François Mitterrand this May 19th,
Niamey and its suburbs came out on the main road caring out from the
airport to the president of Niger's republic president Seyni Kountché
whom the qualities of organizing as it direction of the capacity is known, was
personally imposing reception of which he told us that at constitutes
«most imposing of style of the CMS. And it is the enthusiastic applause of
a population in «Kalangou» punctuated by the «Bororo
songs», and of the professional singers of the capital that the train
Kountché-Mitterrand arrives at the presidency.
4.6.2.1 FRANCE MAKES HONOR TO
NIGER
The doubt is not allowed. The visit of work and friendship of
three days (from May 19th to 21sr, 1982) that carried out President
François Mitterrand in Niger is beyond its political character, a sign
of consideration, has the place of the mode and to the Nigerien people. Only
one fact is enough to corroborate the assertion. Niger constitutes indeed, the
first state in Black Africa the French president since his brilliant election
in May 1982.
And this choice of the first socialist president of the
5th French republic is not translated differently than by the
strategic poison that Niger occupies in West Africa or they seem to play the
leadership role and by reinforcing the diplomatic ties between Niger and
France. Besides, during a lunch at the Gaweye Hotel organized in its honor on
May 20, the French president, he said, «the Nigerien people and French
people must be the builders of a new economic order between the north and the
south?» And to add» «Our people must be the carriers and the
friends of the hope».
«I could note after long conversation with the minister
of external relations that Niger which faced of the difficulties except, had
known to proceed, has the installation of rigorous management and to arrive
then at a certain moments has a rare success». For its part, Seyni
Kountché stated you chose for this first visit that you rendered in a
country classified among the LDCs (Less Developed Countries). This terrible
short-cut as you said it, for designing powers among the poor countries... I
then to say to you how much these LDCs of Africa are grateful to follow French
policies. After greeting and thanking his host for honoring us for his first
visit, President Kountché is worried about the permanent tension between
the east and the west. This is why he said why. Our world needs more men of
good character and with good will. And the realist approach and the dynamic
perception that you have relationship between the north and the south makes it
possible to you to tackle these problems in peace, with the spirit, the
courtesy and necessary patience to find the mean founding and to reinforce the
bases of co-operation of each profit for all...
During his visit, President François Mitterrand
accompanied by his wife (who met the Association of the women of Niger (AFN)
and of an important delegation attended to one official reception at the
«Palais des Congrès», reception during which he appreciated
the riches of our cultural patrimony. He also visited the National Museum
following by an imposing demonstration of camels and horses before meeting the
French colony living in Niger.
He appropriates to note also that it had a maintenance in
swing right round with president Kountché and met the members of the
National Council of Development (CND) body which played a legislative rule.
While flying away from Niamey to Ivory Coast of Houphouet Boigny, the French
president has addressed a long message on the FRANCO-Nigerien relations:
«I am convinced that my visit and our exchange of sight as well on the
essential problems of international relations as on those interesting your area
and your country would not be able to consolidate the solidarity between France
and the African countries particularly Niger».
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