OFFICIAL GOF REACTION TO DEATH OF TOGO PRESIDENT

UNCLAS PARIS 000747 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV TO FR SUBJECT: OFFICIAL GOF REACTION TO DEATH OF TOGO PRESIDENT EYADEMA ¶1. (U) Both President Chirac and the MFA issued brief communiques following the death on February 5 of Togo's President Gnassingbe Eyadema. Informal Embassy translations of both texts follow: ¶2. (U) Elysee Communique (February 5, 2005): BEGIN COMMUNIQUE: -- It is with profound sadness that I learn of the sudden death of Gnassingbe Eyadema, President of the Republic of Togo. -- With him disappears a friend of France who was for me a personal friend. -- In these sad hours, I address to his family my very sincere condolences. -- My thoughts turn to the Togolese people. They will find themselves, I am sure, brought together democratically through this ordeal, which takes place at the very moment when new perspectives were beginning to appear for Togo. -- I am certain that Africa feels cruelly the loss of he who, for so many years, consecrated his efforts to regional cooperation, mediation, and the search for peace. END COMMUNIQUE. ¶3. (U) MFA Communique (February 6, 2005): BEGIN COMMUNIQUE: -- On the day after the disappearance of President Eyadema, France considers indispensable respect for the Togolese Constitution. The transition should therefore be assured, in conformity with the dispositions of this Constitution, and in strict respect of legality, by the President of the National Assembly. Beyond this intermediate period, it belongs to the Togolese people to express themselves freely and democratically. -- In this new phase which opens for Togo, it is essential to oversee that the process of dialogue with the European Union, begun under the aegis of President Eyadema, continues and succeeds as rapidly as possible. END COMMUNIQUE. ¶4. (U) Abidjan minimize considered. Leach