(8 Feb 1997) Eng/French/Nat
France has paid its final respects to U-S Ambassador Pamela Harriman.
President Jacques Chirac awarded Mrs. Harriman France's highest award, the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honor - an award rarely given to a foreigner.
In a ceremony at the U-S Embassy grounds in Paris, Mrs. Harriman was eulogized by Chirac and U-S officials Saturday as an effective mediator in often testy relations.
Deceased U-S Ambassador Pamela Harriman was honoured in a final ceremony in the gardens where she gave many elegant parties throughout her tenure.
French President Jacques Chirac and U-S officials gathered Saturday on the Embassy grounds in Paris to remember Harriman.
U-S Marines and French Republican guards joined in a ceremony steeped in symbolism, aimed at demonstrating that despite deep policy rifts, the two countries remain old friends.
Mrs. Harriman's son, British Member of Parliament Winston Churchill, thanked the French and the Embassy staff in his mother's name.
SOUNDBITE: (French)
"Today is a very sad day indeed for me and all my mother's family. But it is also a deeply proud one, and it is a tribute, not just to her, but to all of you who served her and your country so well."
SUPER CAPTION: Winston Churchill, Mrs. Harriman's son, British MP
French President Chirac paid a warm tribute to the U-S Ambassador to France.
SOUNDBITE: (French)
"Today France loses a friend. All those gathered here, who loved her, who appreciated working with her and giving her the best of themselves, feel great sorrow. My wife and I share their grief and their distress."
SUPERCAPTION: Jacques Chirac, French President
President Jacques Chirac awarded Mrs. Harriman France's highest award.
He placed the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honor on her casket, draped with the American flag.
The award is rarely given to a foreigner.
Mrs. Harriman, who died Thursday at the age of 76, was a British-born millionaire socialite and grande dame of the Democratic Party.
She gained France's respect as a Clinton confidant with a European background.
After the ceremony at the Embassy, there was a separate, French ceremony at Orly airport with a 50-member French Republican Guard contingent.
Then her body was placed on a U-S military plane to Washington for a funeral next week.
She was to be buried at the Harriman family estate in New York state.
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