New reaction from a French official to the Boualem affair. Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau was questioned this Wednesday, December 18, by BFMTV about the detention in Algeria of the Franco-Algerian writer. In his response, he advocated “ firmness » and brandished the threat of “ deploy a certain number of responses » if the writer did not return « quickly ” In France.
Boualem Sansal has been imprisoned in Algeria since mid-November. He is being prosecuted for endangering state security and the integrity of the national territory after comments made last October on far-right French media, notably maintaining that French colonialism truncated the territory of Morocco in benefit of Algeria.
If the far-right attacks Algeria vehemently, the French government has so far opted for caution.
Bruno Retailleau was one of the first members of the government to react to this affair, on November 26. He had advocated the “ discretion ».
Questioned by BFMTV this Wednesday, December 18, the Minister of the Interior of the resigned government of Michel Barnier reiterated that it is “ discretion which is the most effective ”, while pleading for “ firmness » with regard to Algeria.
The minister was asked if it was necessary “ continue to accept visas » and if « exchanges must continue as if nothing had happened » while Boualem Sansal is imprisoned in Algeria.
« You ask me the question, you know who you are asking it to and you undoubtedly know the answer. I am in favor of a firm policy “, he replied.
Upon his appointment last summer, Bruno Retailleau announced that he would go to “ arm wrestling » with Algeria on the question of consular passes.
Bruno Retailleau once again discusses the Boualem Sansal affair
Retailleau is friends with Boualem Sansal and he called him again this Wednesday, indicating that “ A few days before he was kidnapped, I corresponded by SMS with Boualem Sansal to agree on a date for lunch or dinner. So it’s something that touches me ».
« I think that France is doing its best, only in these cases, discretion is the most effective. So, I will be very very discreet. »
Nevertheless, the minister threatened to suspend visas and reiterated that he is in favor of a “ firmness policy » and “ reciprocity », « in the majority of cases, with all countries ».
« Where countries cooperate with us, then we can grant visas and when there is no cooperation, I am very clearly in favor of blocking them. ».
The other lever he mentioned was that of the 1968 immigration agreement, of which he is one of the most fierce opponents and which he again described as ” very special » et « far too derogatory ».
An agreement which, he said, “ could correspond to that moment, during the time of General de Gaulle, but which today no longer corresponds to anything at all ».
Bruno Retailleau closed his intervention on the Sansal affair with the threat of “ deploy responses ”, without specifying them.
« I hope that the relationship between Algeria and France can stabilize things, but I hope that Boualem Sansal can return to us very quickly. If this were not the case, I think that France would be able to deploy a certain number of responses “, he said.
ON THE SAME SUBJECT:
Detention of Boualem Sansal: justice will decide on December 11
