"Al Humdilala" a écrit dans le message de
news:ad3e7227-c30f-40b8-9f26-08d1dc582054@i3g2000hsf.googlegroups.com...
> http://www.flandersnews.be/cm/flandersnews.be/News/071224_Albert_speech
>
> King Albert calls for unity
>
> Mon 24/12/07 - In his annual Christmas speech, His Majesty King Albert
> II of the Belgians called on the different language communities in
> Belgium to overcome differences that plunged the country into a deep
> political crisis. The King called the crisis a difficult period, but
> said that the Belgian people can learn from it.
> King Albert first expressed his joy about the end of the political
> stalemate in our country.
>
> "Fortunately, typical Belgian characteristics like creativity, common
> sense and the ability to compromise finally got the upper hand," the
> King said in his Christmas address.
> King refers to 1981
> Talking about the political crisis, which held Belgium in its grasp
> for 192 days or more than six months, King Albert referred to another
> difficult period, in 1981, citing his brother, the late King
> Boudewijn.
> (Belga)
> "I know that the ordeal is there (...) but I think that Belgium reacts
> best in difficult times."
>
> "I firmly believe in the future of our country because I have faith in
> the abilities of the Belgians when they have their backs against the
> wall," King Albert said, repeating the words his brother spoke 26
> years ago.
>
> The King is glad that a government has finally been put together and
> that a "reform and modernization of our country" is nigh.
> "Language skills are very important"
> King Albert also drew conclusions from the political crisis and the
> bickering between Flemish and French-speaking parties.
>
> "I think it is essential that the contacts between the different
> language communities be strengthened. The first condition is that we
> fully understand one another."
>
> "I have said this many times before, but I think it is really
> important, especially for the young, to have a good knowledge of the
> languages spoken in the other communities."
>
> It is a sense of public responsibility that has been neglected for too
> long, the King concluded.
>
> (Belgium has a Dutch- (Flanders), French- (Wallonia) and a small
> German-speaking community).
> Developing aid
> King Albert also mentioned Belgian aid for developing countries. "It's
> an opportunity for Belgium to contribute to better living conditions
> for people in the Third World, in particular for people in Central
> Africa who have had to endure so much already."
>
> "But," the King added, "we should also stimulate our economy to fight
> poverty in our own country. Poverty in Belgium is spreading and is
> taking on big proportions, which is really worrying."
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