The French Ambassador to Australia, Jean-Pierre Thébault, admitted on Wednesday that restoring solid relations with the island-continent will take time and that Paris will no longer believe “the fine words” of Canberra after the submarine crisis . “From now on, by experience, we will no longer believe fine words, promises of love,” underlined Mr. Thébault, who was striking during a speech in front of the Press Club in Canberra. “Love is good. Having proof of love is much better ”.
The ambassador, who had been recalled by Paris after the cancellation of a mega-contract for French submarines, estimated that “we can rebuild something substantial, but we are starting from a long way off. Unfortunately “.
Tuesday, the entourage of Emmanuel Macron had denounced the “very inelegant methods” of Canberra after the revelation by the Australian press of a SMS sent by the French President to the Australian Prime Minister, Scott Morrison, two days before the termination of the contract. “It is an unprecedented low blow”, lamented the French ambassador, seeing “perhaps the confirmation that we were not considered as an ally”.
“A very worrying signal to all heads of state”
This leak, which, seen from Australia would tend to show that Paris was aware of a threat to the contract, could be an Australian response to Mr. Macron’s statement who said he “knew” that Mr. Morrison had lied to him by hiding from him his intention to end the purchase of 12 French submarines against 55 billion euros. “Doing so sends a very worrying signal to all heads of state: know that in Australia, there will be leaks. What you say confidentially to your allies will one day be used and turned against you, ”he warned.
The ambassador is back in Canberra just like his Washington-based counterpart, who had also been recalled by Paris.
According to Mr. Thébault, Australia has deliberately deceived Paris, in what he describes as “stab in the back”. He notably criticized Canberra never to have frankly consulted with France, nor to “have openly shared his thoughts” and “sought alternatives” to this contract “when there were many opportunities” to do so.
Mr Morrison tried to draw a line on this episode, saying it is time to “move on”. “I don’t think there is any benefit for anyone to continue down this path,” he said. “Claims have been made and claims have been refuted, what is needed now is all to move forward.”