Severing diplomatic ties with MLP 'a setback'

Outgoing French Ambassador Didier Destremau yesterday admitted that severing diplomatic ties with the Labour Party was a setback.

"But I did not lose my soul and I still stand by the comments I made, especially about the European Union," Mr Destremau said.

Still, he said, he was optimistic that his successor would definitely renew the link between the French and the MLP.

Mr Destremau was speaking during a visit by Alternattiva Demokratika chairman Harry Vassallo.

The French Ambassador was criticised by the Labour Party following an interview in The Times carried last week.

In a letter, the party accused Mr Destremau of surpassing "all acceptable limits of correct diplomatic behaviour, civility and notions of personal respect".

Labour leader Alfred Sant subsequently turned down Mr Destremau's offer of a farewell visit.

Asked for his reaction to the Labour Party's stance, Mr Destremau was yesterday very cautious, saying only that it was a setback.

"I am not being a coward, I am being diplomatic," was his frank reply.

Mr Vassallo said: "When people are too diplomatic they can tell lies. When a person is honest with you, you should not take offence, even if you do not agree."

Mr Destremau paid tribute to AD, which had organised a symbolic visit to Brittany, France, after the Maltese-registered Erika sank, causing a massive oil spill in French waters.

Dr Vassallo said Mr Destremau's posting to Malta coincided with a period of increasing environmental awareness.

The AD chairman thanked Mr Destremau for his strenuous efforts to enhance Franco-Maltese commercial, cultural and political ties.

"Mr Destremau's successor will reap the benefit of these efforts which have gone largely unnoticed since reactions to the outgoing ambassador's forceful personality may have overshadowed the valuable groundwork being carried out."

Dr Vassallo said that Mr Destremau had given an honest foreigner's perspective.

"Some of us may have found his style shocking and his comments too close to the truth for comfort. But many of us have come to appreciate his criticism as the product of genuine concern for his host country," Dr Vassallo said.