Скачать или смотреть French President's television statement after result

(30 May 2005) SHOTLIST

1. SOUNDBITE: (French) Jacques Chirac, French President: (Not verbatim)
"France has expressed itself democratically. It is your sovereign decision, and I take note. Make no mistake, France's decision inevitably creates a difficult context for the defence of our interests in Europe."

STORYLINE:

French voters rejected the European Union's proposed constitution on Sunday, President Jacques Chirac said, delivering a stunning blow to the 25-nation bloc's ambitions.

Chirac announced the result in a short televised address.

He said that the process of ratifying the treaty would nevertheless continue in other EU countries.

"France has expressed itself democratically," Chirac said. "It is your sovereign decision, and I take note."

The rejection in a bitterly contested referendum in France - the cradle of continental unity and an architect of the European project - was a humiliation for Chirac and promised to shake the EU to its core.

To go into effect as planned by November 1, 2006, it needs ratification in all member nations, either by referendum or parliamentary vote.

Nine countries have already voted in favour of the charter.

The vote came three days before the charter looks likely to face a hostile reception in the Netherlands.

France's rejection, the first in Europe, could set the continent's plans back by years, and perhaps even kill the proposed constitution which was agreed on by EU leaders in October.

EU officials had said that even if France rejects the treaty efforts to ratify it in other countries would proceed, while they have been vague on whether the treaty might be somehow renegotiated or submitted to a repeat vote.

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