Senin, 24 Desember 2007

Belgian king urges reconciliation in Christmas message (AFP)

BRUSSELS (AFP) - King Albert II urged Belgiums French- and Dutch-speaking communities Monday to overcome their differences, after months of political crisis, and strive to learn each others languages.

"It is indispensable to develop and reinforce the contacts and exchanges, in every area, between our difference communities and regions," the king said in his traditional Christmas message broadcast on national television.

"Sometimes we have the impression that our relations are more organised and structured with foreign countries than they are within our own country," he said.

Political parties from Belgiums two main linguistic communities -- there is also a German-speaking minority -- have been unable to form a new government more than six months since elections on June 10.

Their differences have focused on how much federal power should be devolved to the regions, with parties in the more populous and prosperous Dutch-speaking region of Flanders demanding more control over regional affairs.

On Friday, the king swore in caretaker Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt at the head of an interim government. His cabinet will handle urgent business and give the poll winners breathing space to forge a long-term coalition.

In his Christmas message, the king -- whose first language is French -- insisted on the need "above all for our young people, to get to know the language of the other communities."

"It is a form of civic duty that we have neglected for too long. And yet, it is clearly a fundamental condition for the citizens of different communities to understand and appreciate each other."

He said that so much progress had been made on ways to learn languages "that there can be no excuse not to undertake this effort as soon as possible in ones life."

Language differences -- and each communitys insistence that they be able to communicate in their own tongue -- are a regular source of tensions in Belgium.

Would-be premier Yves Leterme -- who confused Belgiums national anthem with that of France -- fuelled inter-communal anger last year by suggesting that Belgiums French speakers were not capable of learning Dutch.

Unlike Leterme, who has spent his whole political career in Flanders, the bilingual Verhofstadt has been able to build a sympathetic reputation with the French-speaking community Wallonia.

The king underlined that "creativity, good sense and a spirit of compromise" had helped to end the political crisis, and he said that Verhofstadt would start preparations on "a reform and modernisation of our federal state"

"I believe that it is possible to become, in a Europe moving forward, an exemplary society where diverse cultures live in harmony," he said. "This is not an impossible dream."

The king underlined that at a time when peace is often raised, "the search for peace, starts first, in our own country and in our own hearts".

 
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