Canberra: Australia Leaks French President’s text message Emmanuel Macron to the media is a ‘low low’ ‘and warnings to other world leaders that their private communication with the Australian government can be armed and used against them, the French Ambassador said on Wednesday.
French Ambassador to Australia Jean-Pierre Thebeall used the address to the Australian National Press Club to make Malay attacks on the decision of Canberra’s surprise for a 90 billion Australian dollar contract ($ 66 billion) with France to build a fleet of 12 diesel-electric submarines.
An extremely bitter bilateral spat is enhanced by the two national leaders who are looking for relief early next year.
Doubts are increasing about how relationships can be regulated effectively if Marcon and Morrison remain responsible.
France damaged international trust in Australia because the government tried to complete free trade transactions with the European Union.
Media Australia on Tuesday reported the contents of the text message from Macron to Prime Minister Scott Morrison in September where the French leader asked: “ should I expect good or bad news for the ambition of submarine with us? “Morrison used it as proof of Macron knew the agreement was doubtful after Macron accused the Australian leader lying at Paris dinner in June.
Macron said Morrison did not give him an indication of the agreement would not continue.
France has condemned leakage as a violation of further trust.
“ This is a new low that has never happened before, in terms of how to continue and also in terms of truth and trust, “Thebault said.
“ Do it …
send a very worrying signal for all heads of state: Beware, in Australia there will be a leak and what you say with confidence to your partner will eventually be used and armed with you, ” Thebault added.
Instead of evidence that Morrison did not lie to Marcon, the message suggested Australia had left France in the dark.
“ It really shows that until the last minute, we don’t know where things go, ” Thebault said.
“ This fully shows that nothing has ever been ordered to us.
“Australia cancels an agreement when forming an alliance with us and the UK to obtain a fleet of eight nuclear-powered submarines built with US technology.
Morrison stated that he did not lie to the French leader and it was clear that conventional submarines would not meet the developing Australian strategic needs.
Thebault rejected Morrison’s account.
“The trick was intentional,” Thebault said.
`The way it is handled clearly stabbing behind.
“The French Ambassador agrees with Macron’s assessment that he has been lied to by Morrison on various occasions.
“ There may be a difference between misleading and lying, ” Thebault said.
“ But you know, among the heads of state and government, when you mislead a friend and allies, you lie to him, ” Thebault added.
Malcolm Turnbull, the Australian Prime Minister who signed the French submarine contract and considered Macron a personal friend, join the attack on his replacement credibility.
“ Scott always has a reputation for lying, “Turnbull told reporters.
“ He lied to me on many occasions.
“Asked whether the Prime Minister’s office had leaked Macron’s text, Morrison did not immediately answer.
“ I don’t think there is a profit for anyone on this way, “Morrison told reporters in the United Arab Emirates, where he visited on the way home from Scotland.
“ Claims are made and claims are denied, “Morrison said.
“ Australia made a decision not to continue the contract for submarines that would not do the work needed by Australia to do it, and I would never have an apology for the decision.
“The French Ambassador and the Philippine Ambassador of the Etienne United States are recalled back to Paris after Australia’s new nuclear propulsion alliance is announced.
Etienne returned to Washington in September, but thebault did not return to Canberra until last month.
Thebault said France had “ found another way to act with ” with the United States.
The damaged submarine contract has caused a delay in the European Union negotiations with Australia on the free trade agreement that has been scheduled to continue last month.
France has no reason to bother ” with the negotiations of the European Commission on behalf of 27 member countries, thebault said.
One consideration in achieving such a trade agreement is “ the quality of your partner’s signature, “he said.