PARIS, May 2: France has chosen officially to disregard the results of Tuesday’s presidential referendum, with the Quai d’Orsay indicating simply that “we take note” of the results.

Foreign ministry spokesman Philippe Rivadeau said: “Our requirements and expectations of President Musharraf remain unchanged: a return to a constitutional order, establishment of a civilian government, normal functioning of democratic institutions.

“We recalled to President Musharraf our preoccupation during his exchanges in Paris last November with the President of the Republic (Chirac) and Prime Minister (Jospin). We took note at the time of the reaffirmation by President Musharraf of his engagement to hold legislative elections in October 2002.”

Because yesterday, May Day, was a national holiday, indeed the only day of the year when the French press does not appear, hardly any press comment has so far appeared on the results.