Paris - The French Prime Minister, Mr Lionel Jospin, opened talks in Paris yesterday aimed at resolving separatist violence on Corsica, as a spate of bomb attacks highlighted the Mediterranean island's continuing insecurity.
Mr Jospin warned that his Socialist government would not back down on its pledge to combat separatist violence in Corsica.
"We are here with a very open mind, but the French government must have the same attitude and everything will go well," said Mr Jean-Guy Talamoni, head of the nationalist Corsica Nazione coalition in the island's assembly.
The Prime Minister's unprecedented gesture in opening dialogue contrasts with his previous promise not to sit at the same table as the nationalists unless they denounced separatist violence in Corsica.