Brussels, 13/06/2008 (Agence Europe) - Upon his return from the Arab mini-summit held in the Libyan capital on 10 June, Abdelwaheb Abdallah, Tunisian Foreign Minister, made a point of distancing himself from the virulent comments made by the “guide”, Mu'ammar Kadhafi, who accused the EU of wanting to create a rift between Arabs and Africans.
“Please forgive me if I do not make any revelations about what happened yesterday”, the Tunisian foreign minister told EU ambassadors in Tunis on 11 June. He went on to say, however: “What you have read about the Tripoli 'summit' is only media information. Journalists have taken up statements that reflect only certain moments of the day and not the whole day (…). We were wrong not to publish a communiqué at the end of the day's business, but it is up to the heads of state to do so”. According to local commentators, the remarks made by the main Tunisian foreign affairs official “may not say it all but already reveal a great deal about the way the mini-summit unfolded in Tripoli”. The minister asserted that “the atmosphere was frank and everyone said what they had to say. The meeting ended with unanimous agreement. You will see”. According to the local press, Mr Abdallah pointed out that “since his announcement, the proposal for a Union for the Mediterranean has constantly undergone qualified adjustments by some, such as adjustments downwards. But the project has been kept in place, and that is the main thing”. (F.B./transl.jl)