Monaco aims for full sovereignty
2000-10-31 12:09
Paris - Prince Rainier lashed out at France for portraying Monaco as a safe haven for money launderers, saying in an interview published on
Tuesday that the tiny principality wanted to regain its full sovereignty.
The 77-year-old prince was quoted in the French daily Le Figaro as
saying the criticism constituted "a deliberate effort to damage the
image of Monaco."
He also said Monaco was ready to dust off the treaties governing
its relationship with France in order to regain full control over
the Riviera territory.
Monaco, typically portrayed as a playground of the rich, has been
blasted in a series of French reports this year for a lax attitude
to money laundering.
Paris recently called for a rapid rethinking of economic and legal
relations with Monaco in the wake of the reports.
Rainier slammed the allegations. "They are totally false. We reject
them out of hand," he was quoted as saying in Le Figaro.
"These attacks have just one goal; to heap opprobrium on Monaco.
It's unacceptable," he added.
"France must respect us. We are a sovereign state," he said. "For
too long, I believe, we have accepted that our sovereignty be
limited. It is time to dust off the treaties that link us to
France," he added.
The relationship between Paris and Monaco is defined by a series of
treaties. The key treaty dates from 1918 and defines France's role
as one of "friendly protection."
But Rainier said the treaty needed to be reworked. "The
principality needs to rediscover its full sovereignty," he was
quoted as saying.
As an example of the changes he would like to see, Rainier said he
wanted to be able to choose his own prime minister rather than just
accept the person proposed by Paris.
The royal outburst is just the latest salvo in a war of words
between Monaco and its neighbor over money laundering.
In June, a French parliamentary report called Monaco "one of the
most hypocritical territories" about money laundering matters. The
report said Monaco has 10 times more bank accounts than residents
and 60 percent of the bank accounts opened belong to nonresidents.
Monaco, smaller than New York's Central Park, was once a sleepy
resort favored by European royalty. Now, it is a popular tax haven
with celebrities, bankers and sports figures. Monaco's laws
guarantee anonymity in banking transactions.
Rainier, who has undergone several operations this year, also
addressed the issue of succession in the interview, saying his son
Albert needed to have an heir before he could take the throne.
"I do not want to hang onto my function for life. Prince Albert has
all the qualities to become one day the next sovereign prince. But,
beforehand, I would like him to have an heir because that is
essential for the future of the principality and of our family,"
Rainier said.
The Grimaldi family, which has ruled Monaco since 1297, is one of
Europe's oldest royal families. Rainier has ruled for the last 50
years.- Sapa-AP
- SAPA