Europe 1 with AFP / Photo credits: AFP 6:17 p.m., February 29, 2024
Right-wing deputies questioned the French government over the installation of a Saudi Olympic village at Les Invalides, an emblematic place for the French armies in Paris, on the sidelines of the Games.
The installation for four months of a Saudi Olympic village at Les Invalides, an emblematic place for the French armies in Paris, is being studied and is arousing opposition from right-wing deputies who have challenged the government.
"There are ongoing discussions at the request of the Saudis. They are taking place subject to very strict conditions that the Saudis have not yet accepted, which must ensure the security of the site, the solemnity of the place, the tranquility residents of the National Institute of Invalides (INI)" which houses war wounded and veterans, the Ministry of the Armed Forces declared to AFP, specifying that "the compensation for provision will be donated to the museum of the Army and the INI".
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An Olympic village possibly located near the military necropolis where Napoleon rests
According to MP LR Nathalie Serre, member of the Defense committee at the National Assembly, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia could, with financial assistance, install an Olympic village on the grounds of the Hôtel national des Invalides from May 10, possibly near the military necropolis where Napoleon rests.
“Saudi Arabia poses a specific problem regarding respect for human rights, but if it were a Danish or Canadian village, the problem would have been the same,” she explains to AFP.
“There are things that cannot be sold or converted into cash and the Invalides, in my opinion, are one of them.”
The Secretary of State for Veterans Affairs remained evasive on this subject
Questioned on the subject on Wednesday during questions to the government, the Secretary of State for Veterans Affairs remained evasive.
“I will try to answer what I know, indeed, it is information that we may have had,” declared Patricia Mirallès.
“Today, nothing is concrete, nothing is done and therefore I understand your questions but I will not respond to things that have not been done, nor signed, with any agreement.”
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According to MP Serre, it is not abnormal that a museum can be rented for a private event but it is different when a foreign state is involved in the project.
“Whether you bring a Chanel show, it remains private but it does not last four months and we do not appropriate anything except the beauty of the place. There, we are talking about the values of the Republic ", she assures.
The Hôtel des Invalides houses the Army Museum, Napoleon's tomb and the Museum of the Order of the Liberation.