'It sounds as though the referendum may go the wrong way'
The transcript released by CKOI FM in Montreal of the conversation between the Queen and Pierre Brassard
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Your support makes all the difference.PALACE SWITCHBOARD: Buckingham Palace: Buckingham Palace?
DJ: Yes this is Jacques Chretien, Prime Minister of Canada.
BP: Hello, sir.
DJ: Hello.
BP: I am just trying to connect you to Her Majesty now. (Phone rings.)
Queen: Hello?
DJ: Oui, hello.
Queen: Ah, Prime Minister.
DJ: Good evening, majesty.
Q: Hello
DJ: Bonsoir.
Q: Bonsoir.
DJ: Vous allez bien?
Q: Yes thank you.
DJ: Please accept my deepest respect.
Q: Thank you very much.
DJ: And please excuse the poor quality of my English.
Q: (laughs)
DJ: Your Majesty, I am really stressed out these days.
Q: I'm sure you are.
DJ: Yes.
Q: We've been following it with great interest.
DJ: The Canadian political situation is very critical.
Q: Yes.
DJ: Our latest polls are showing that the separatists are going to win the referendum on the independence of Quebec.
Q: Well, it sounds ... it sounds as though it might ... the referendum may go the wrong way.
DJ: But we still have some 'ope, because there is still a large number of undecided voters.
Q: Yes.
DJ: We deeply believe that should Your Majesty have the kindness to make a public intervention, we think that your word could give back to the citizens of Quebec the pride of being members of a united country.
Q: Um, I mean I know I have said ... I have said whilst I have been in Canada ... I have tried to give the same message. Um.
DJ: So. Do you think you can tell that on national television?
Q: Um. Well, listen, can I ... Can I ... Can you hang on a minute?
DJ: Yes. Yes, of course.
Q: Wait a minute.
Q: (Aside to someone else in the Palace). Robert, he does want me to do exactly what you think, go on Canadian television. What shall I say. (silence)
Q: Right ... right ... Um.
Q: (Returns to phone) Do you think you could give me a text of what you would like me to say?
DJ: Sure, sure.
Q: Could you fax me a text and I can get back to you this evening.
DJ: Of course Your Majesty. OK.
Q And I'll ... I will probably be able to do something for you.
DJ: Aaah. Thank you Your Majesty.
Q: No problem, no, I can do that. I mean, it would have to be moitie- moitie, wouldn't it. It would have to be half-English, half-French.
DJ: OK. Half and half.
Q: Yes. If you could let me have a text.
DJ: My personal secretary [named] will write the text, and after my other secretary [named] fax to your machine and you will receive this text.
Q: I think, if I can help, I would be delighted to do anything I can, of course.
DJ: Your Majesty, I am very nervous. Is it possible to talk in French?
Q: Allez. Go on
DJ: I am more at ease in French, Your Majesty.
Q: Um-hm.
DJ gives background to referendum issue
DJ: I find that is very kind on your part to agree to this.
Q: No, I would like very much ... um ... to help as much as I can.
DJ: Your Majesty. My team is going to work on writing the text, and it will not be too long.
Q: Very good. As short as possible, saying the most important things. I hope it helps.
DJ: It will be transmitted on all the television and radio networks in Canada. You know, I don't want Quebec to secede.
Q: Oh, certainly not.
DJ: Because, if it secedes, there will be problems with our currency, as well.
Q: No, but with the currency and... (lapses into English) The money and the business is difficult, isn't it?
DJ: Yes.
Q: (in French) But, if I can help, in any case, I will be very very happy to do that.
DJ: That's very kind. Your Majesty, how is your family? The family is well?
Q: Yes, very well thank you. They are going off everywhere.
DJ: They are everywhere.
Q: And I hope I will see you in Auckland.
DJ: Yes, Oui. We will see each other. That will be a pleasure. In New Zealand.
Q: Yes, in New Zealand. But at this point you will send this text.
DJ: Well, I am going to send you the text.
Q: Thank you.
DJ: Yes. You can make any corrections you like, Your Majesty.
Q: Ca ne vous ... (back into English) You don't mind doing that?
DJ: It don't shock me. (back into French) No, there's no problem. I have confidence in you. I look forward to our trip to New Zealand, where we can see each other again.
Q: Yes, that's right.
DJ: Besides, I have some advisers who are already there.
Q: Yes, they are already there. Yes, I leave on Monday. We are going to New Zealand.
DJ: Each year, there is a peculiar thing, which is that Canada will offer a contribution of food at the time of this meeting in New Zealand.
Q: Oh yes.
DJ: It has already left. I imagine that you must be feeling the Hallowe'en atmosphere in England at the moment.
Q: Yes, at the moment, that's true.
DJ: Are you doing anything to celebrate Hallowe'en?
Q: Yes. Certainly for the children.
DJ: You are not going so far as to wear a costume?
Q: No, no. (laughs)
DJ: OK. Your Majesty.
Q: If I can help you, I will.
DJ: I will send you the fax with the text and then if you want to dress for Hallowe'en, just put on a hat. I thank you very much again, Your Majesty.
Q: Good, goodbye for now.
DJ: Thank you (in English) Good evening. Thank you.
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