Entretien avec Huw Edwards
BBC1 - 01.05.2008
transcrit par AG et Meadow
Gerald MC : I think it's not been a conscious preparation because we both hoped we wouldn't get to that stage but I think that what we have done has been incredibly busy in the background, erm there's a lot of work in the investigation side, it's kept me incredibly busy over the last four to six weeks, Kate has more to do with the Amber campaign for the young children..
BBC1 - 01.05.2008
transcrit par AG et Meadow
Gerald MC : I think it's not been a conscious preparation because we both hoped we wouldn't get to that stage but I think that what we have done has been incredibly busy in the background, erm there's a lot of work in the investigation side, it's kept me incredibly busy over the last four to six weeks, Kate has more to do with the Amber campaign for the young children..
Kate MC : I mean it's pretty much a day by day, week by week, to be honest, I mean I don't look too far
ahead really, erm as Gerry said we didn't want to get to this point,
and now that we've got to this point we need to use the opportunity I guess, to focus on what is more important, which is Madeleine.
Huw Edwards : You're making a very big effort to get the message out again so, in its latest form, what is the message you're giving on this first anniversary ?
KMC : The message is
Madeleine is still missing and she needs to be found and we guess we are
urging people to help us still and I know people have helped us from day one, but we
still need the help and Madeleine still needs that help and we need
that key bit of information with which it could be over (makes a
gesture "it's so simple").
GMC : (looking at the
public) Sure, really this is really a direct appeal. We wouldn't be here if we
weren't appealing to the public to come forward, to those who
actually have actually phoned with information may it be to the police or hotline, we
want you to rack your brains if you were then in PDL, someone knows
something, that could unlock this and that's the key for us getting that
information (bending to pick up a poster that he presents to the
camera saying distinctly the hotline number) I would ask to show this, if it's ok, we have a new hotline number, We will guarantee anonymity for anyone who wants it, all information will be treated confidentially
HE : You've been very thorough, you had a very high profile over the past year, what makes you think...
GMC : (interrupting) I
have another (? desire ?)
HE : But of course but at least it has been effective in campaigning terms, that high profile, what makes you hope that the year on someone is going to turn up a factor, a hint which could make the difference ?
KMC : (interrupting) Well, she's still missing, she hasn't been found (video skips.. There is still that bit of information). And you know
somebody definitively knows something and they may not realize that,
but you know it's linked, you know there might be something they
remember from that day or around that day, erm... which is vital, it
just takes a few things to slot into place.
GMC : I think that's
right thought, because that time of year people are going to be saying,
thinking about summer holidays, is going away, last time was here and it
would bring it home to people.
HE : When have you lost contact with the Portuguese police about the investigation ?
GMC : I think we don't really have direct contact or some contact, but there is some contact with our Portuguese
solicitor.
HE : You asked for information ? Did you ask for updates on the campaign or have you just given up with asking ?
GMC : We would very much
like to know exactly what has been done, what hasn't been done, who
has been eliminated and on what grounds and just what leads have still
been actively followed and that information hasn't, erm been forthcoming to
us...
KMC : This is a crime,
this is a horrific crime against a young child and I think we need to focus on
that, you know Madeleine is still missing, an hideous crime has been
committed, and that person is still out there.
HE : As fellow parents, we talk about the case obviously, it's a natural thing to do, it's been in the forefront of people's minds. One of the questions that lots of people asked during these months is how do you maintain the hope that you might find her alive, what keeps that hope in place ?
KMC : Number one,
Madeleine is so important to us.. and Sean and Amelie. Number two
there is no evidence, absolutely no evidence that any harm has come
to her and three, if you look at for example the States, where you
know they have a lot os statistics related to this kind of crime,
children are recovered, you know, a lot of children are recovered and
the younger the child the better the chances are.
GMC : As a parent, you
know, you cannot give up on your child, you wouldn't give up and you
would do anything...
KMC : (interrupting) And what a disservice it would be to Madeleine to assume otherwise without any evidence !
HE : How do you manage life at home with your twins who, as you said many times, deserve as normal upbringing as they can be given in the circumstances, how do you keep that going ... Where do you get your strength from.. to do that ?
KMC : I think the
children can be the strength for sure, you know, Sean and Amelie are
amazing little people and they are very happy and actually they have a
very normal life, and they go to the nursery two days a week and the
other days, when they're at home, we just do the normal things that
anyone would do with the children.. and we do spent a lot of the evenings working obviously and phone calls, emails and things. But their life is as normal
as it could be, but they haven't got a big sister.
HE : How present is Madeleine in the house ? I mean you talk...
KMC : Very.
HE : ... So that doesn't
change in that sense.
GMC : (speaking over)
Madeleine is still a big part of Sean and Amelie's life and they have
still spent two thirds of their life with Madeleine been ever
present and these constant reminders.. and we've taken a lot of
professional advice about how best to manage the situation and
whether they would have been adapting as well as they have (laugh), without that advice I think
probably they would, but for much further reassurance (?)... they have been fantastic,
I don't think we would have coped without them, but there has been a
big extended family role, friends in this and the overwhelming support
we've had from the vast majority of the public has really helped lift us and driven us on. In Praia da Luz and the days afterwards and erm.. the feeling was
almost like a tidal wave and motion came back and that really
helped lift us.
KMC : It still does, I
mean we still get so much mail and support of people and it really
does lift you, you know, it's...
HE : Do you mind my asking something that lots of parents have asked me which is what do you say to your young twins when they ask questions, I mean how have you dealt with that with their questions and inquiries ?
KMC : Well I guess they are still only 3, I mean as Gerry said they talk of
Madeleine a lot, which is lovely. You know, they just say that
Madeleine is missing and we say, yes but we are looking for her, but
it doesn't really go to any more depth than that and it doesn't need
to at the minute.. because you know, can I ask anything else ? You
know we've always believed and we've been told the best is to be
honest with them.
HE : There is often in the press where people say things, you know, like you can't show emotion and all the rest of it when you are already under enormous pressure, how do you cope with that ?
KMC : We'd be lying if we
said it wasn't hurtful and it's amazing how so many people could have
such an opinion of things they know nothing about but again it's a
development you know and yes it takes you away from it for a minute,
but you just have to get back on track, you know..
HE : You had a very high profile visit to Europe where you were promoting the Amber Alert scheme and there are signs today that the support for that among members of Parliament is still growing, erm.. why have you locked on into this particular scheme as one which you liked to promote ?
GMC : One of the things
we encountered are (?) very, very early one and clearly as a parent when your
child goes missing you want everything done and even though that
night we were saying things like the border has been alerted, the
ports, various things, and you worry is that child is going to be
moved and moved quickly far away from the scene of the crime...
HE : (interrupting) You both were very honest about the questions you asked about your own actions when Madeleine disappeared and the doubts you had and the criticism you levelled at yourselves. Are you finding it easier not to be self-critical a year on, or not ?
GMC : We've talked a year
ago and from the minute we discovered Madeleine missing, we
tried to focus on what can still be done and dwelling on the negative you can't change what's happened and, as much as we'd love to have
turned the clock back and decided not to have gone erm to Tapas erm
restaurant that night. We can't change it and what we need to focus
on and what we're asking the public to do is to concentrate on what
can still be done, Madeleine is a gorgeous little girl, she's still
out there and, you know, we're asking for help to find her.
HE : And for those who (?) the campaign has been running maximum energy for a year and do they ask questions on how long can you sustain that kind of campaign with that kind of energy and commitment that it needs, the fact that it clearly affects your entire lives, what do you say to people ?
KMC : You know I only
care for Madeleine (?). You know, I want Madeleine back, I need to
have Madeleine and... that's all that keeps us going.
 |
| Hergé - Le professeur Tournesol |
Lancement d'une nouvelle campagne
02.05.2008 - Nick Britten (The Telegraph)
Gerald MC : This is something we've been working behind the scenes. We knew there would be massive media attention and we wanted to capitalise on that. The documentary is a platform and told a bit of a story about where we're at. We want to bring the focus back completely to what this is about – finding Madeleine.
Kate MC : There has been that much speculation. I find it upsetting for our family but it's upsetting for Madeleine.
GMC : There so much noise you can't tell the noise from the real messages. Any angle leads to column inches when it doesn't deserve it. When you think about the last five months how much new information - there's very, very little and we need to focus is back on what people do know and what are the real issues here.
Nick Britten : Is this the best hope now of finding Madeleine?
KMC : I'm not sure about that but the media interest will wane without any developments and I guess you've got to use this opportunity. We need that information and we strongly believe that information is out there, somebody knows something. (1)
GMC : Dubbing today "May Day for Madeleine" It's the last chance to capture a lot of the information that's gone into the investigation that we're not privy to and clearly we need to know everything that's been done. What we're asking people to do is if you've given information to police, Crimestoppers, Portuguese police, we're asking you to give it to us as well. (2) We're a year down the line and seemingly no closer to finding Madeleine. We've got little bits of jigsaw but huge gaps. We have set aside considerable resources on this task and we have processes set up and ready to go but of course we don't know what information has been generated. I personally don't think running stories on Madeleine makes that much difference. Her image is everywhere. It's about that key bit of information - someone has it but they might not necessarily put it together. At this time, a year on, it's to try to jog people's memories. Portugal is a small country, she could have been moved, we've clearly got an international case and we're desperate for information. (3) There are people who haven't come forward who might have been involved on the periphery.
NB : When the arguido status is lifted will this story go away?
02.05.2008 - Nick Britten (The Telegraph)
Gerald MC : This is something we've been working behind the scenes. We knew there would be massive media attention and we wanted to capitalise on that. The documentary is a platform and told a bit of a story about where we're at. We want to bring the focus back completely to what this is about – finding Madeleine.
Kate MC : There has been that much speculation. I find it upsetting for our family but it's upsetting for Madeleine.
GMC : There so much noise you can't tell the noise from the real messages. Any angle leads to column inches when it doesn't deserve it. When you think about the last five months how much new information - there's very, very little and we need to focus is back on what people do know and what are the real issues here.
Nick Britten : Is this the best hope now of finding Madeleine?
KMC : I'm not sure about that but the media interest will wane without any developments and I guess you've got to use this opportunity. We need that information and we strongly believe that information is out there, somebody knows something. (1)
GMC : Dubbing today "May Day for Madeleine" It's the last chance to capture a lot of the information that's gone into the investigation that we're not privy to and clearly we need to know everything that's been done. What we're asking people to do is if you've given information to police, Crimestoppers, Portuguese police, we're asking you to give it to us as well. (2) We're a year down the line and seemingly no closer to finding Madeleine. We've got little bits of jigsaw but huge gaps. We have set aside considerable resources on this task and we have processes set up and ready to go but of course we don't know what information has been generated. I personally don't think running stories on Madeleine makes that much difference. Her image is everywhere. It's about that key bit of information - someone has it but they might not necessarily put it together. At this time, a year on, it's to try to jog people's memories. Portugal is a small country, she could have been moved, we've clearly got an international case and we're desperate for information. (3) There are people who haven't come forward who might have been involved on the periphery.
NB : When the arguido status is lifted will this story go away?
KMC : Being made arguido has not helped the search for Madeleine. I'm sure when the arguido status is lifted it will be a major development and huge headlines. (4)
NB : There is lots and lots of media coverage but has it helped the search?
GMC : A lot of people think Madeleine is dead. Today is about us stating our absolute categoric belief that there is no evidence that Madeleine has been seriously harmed. (5) Aucune preuve n'est vraiment nécessaire pour affirmer qu'un enfant de cet âge brutalement arraché à son milieu familial ne peut en sortir indemne, s'il s'en sort.
NB : How do you feel Madeleine?
KMC : It's a sense really, Madeleine is very close, it's kind of a sensation that she's there. You try and be objective and think that it's just because I'm her mum and because I want to believe.
GMC : The more research we've done and the more we've looked into these types of cases, the stronger my belief is now that there's a better chance Madeleine is alive. The bulk of data is actually based from the US. From the 115-a-year stereotypical kidnappings by strangers, 40-50 per cent are killed, which means that the majority are not killed. The younger the child the less likely is that child will be seriously harmed or killed. (6) Madeleine really is the right low limit. We were not said it's impossible. How many of the children who are never found and assumed to be dead are actually being brought up somewhere else? It's frightening to think of Natasha Kampusch (enlevée à 10 ans de la rue, s'est échappée 8 ans plus tard) and Shawn Hornbeck (enlevé à 11 ans de la rue par un pédophile, retrouvé par hasard 4 ans plus tard) and other kids...
KMC : The story in Austria shows how people can go off the radar. But they are still there and you owe it to that person to keep looking. It still gives you hope, it's horrible to think of the length of time and stuff and you think of a year ago. Imagine what it would have been like to get to a year, it would have killed me. A few days at that point were forever but it [Elisabeth Smart being found] gives you hope and it could be today, tomorrow or next week and you've got to keep hold of that hope.
GMC : It all gives you hope. People want to help. She's a completely innocent child and surely we can find her if everyone pulls together. Whatever anyone thinks of the situation Madeleine is innocent and she's a child. When we went to Washington and spoke to the people who had the most expertise we came out thinking she is out there. There's a really good chance she is still out there, based on years of experience of missing and abducted children. What Earnie Allen's (National Center for Missing and Exploited Children in Washington) exact words were are there are a host of scenarios by which Madeleine could still be out there. The experts are saying there is a strong chance Madeleine is out there but its back to what we need to do which is address the situation: Who took her? Is that person alone? If they are alone they don't live in isolation, they live in a town, in a holiday resort, they interact with people and they might have accomplices we don't know what motivates them. They have to shop, they have to buy things. People have got a description of a man. (7) It's trying to find a link somewhere, we feel incredibly passionate about it.
KMC : Even people who are classed as loners are known as the loner down the road.
NB : What about Sean and Amelie ?
KMC : Sean and Amelie talk about her constantly,. They include her in everything. They ask about her. They essentially still play with her and that's really heartening for us. A year down the line, our three-year-old twins still see it as that and if Madeleine walked in the door tomorrow they'd say which one do you want and play with her. They would shout 'Madeleine's home, lets go and play'. She is still a huge part of their life and ours.
NB : Have you explained to them what has happened ?
KMC : I've got my journal, but we took advice and have done everything that we thought was best for Sean and Amelie. A psychologist we spoke to said basically be honest. The problem is you haven't got a story to tell and can't fill in the facts. (8)
GMC : I hope she's back with us before they're of an age when they're on the internet and searching. We will face difficult decisions down the line and we are not forcing information on them. As they ask the questions, they are being told straight and the situation now is still they know Madeleine is missing. They have some understanding of the concept of being lost and that people are looking for them and they say heartbreaking things to us like they're going to find Madeleine and bring her home. (9)
KMC : They will say things like that because we talk about when Madeleine comes home.
NB : What about the new campaign ?
GMC : This is a local call number, no premium. It functions from abroad. My strong understanding is that will be a local call from abroad as well. People can leave information anonymously and we guarantee confidentiality.
KMC : We don't know what has been done and what hasn't been done (in the investigation). As parents not knowing what's being done, it gets to a time when we have to find out ourselves. (10)
GMC : We need to know and we want to know. The bulk of the information in the inquiry came from the UK. We knew there were thousands of leads that came through Crimestoppers and Leicestershire police. (11) The bulk of the people in Praia da Luz were British, Irish, Dutch and German. We need to co-operate with the authorities. We're not taking the law into our own hands. There will be jurisdictional issues. We believe it's an international investigation and our investigation is independent. It's cross border and focused on finding Madeline.
KMC : We don't know what the Portuguese police know.
GMC : Who can object to us, a year down the line, diverting resources. It's a year. We're not being given information that people are under supervision - if so we'd be keeping very quiet.
People had a fair crack. We just want as parents to make sure everything possible is being done. There's been a huge response. We don't know what came into Crimestoppers or Leicestershire. We have not had access and clearly we want access, what's been done and not been done.
KMC : We're not taking over the investigation but we're obviously trying to do something ourselves.
GMC : We are running an independent investigation and we believe it is an international enquiry and we will direct as much resources as we've got available into following up every lead. Any information coming in will be scrutinised, graded, followed up and acted on. Kate and I have been working behind the scenes on this with a few core people to launch today. There has been a considerable degree of planning over several weeks. We need every call. Every bit of information is important to us. Considerable resources are being directed into this. We might be overwhelmed. There might be multiple reasons why people have not come forward. In isolation it might not mean anything but it might when you look at the bigger picture.
KMC : I hope its not a bind for people and they will understand, but can you give it again and there might be some key information in there. Maybe it might make this move.
GMC : We have a right to information and what has been done to our daughter and if we are not given the information we will try and do anything. Anybody who has contacted any authority should contact us. (12)
NB : How do you see her?
KMC : When you picture her it's memories. I don't speculate on what situation she's in. It's memories. I don't have any vision of where she is now. I just sense her still being there. It's hard to explain really. It's a sensation, a feeling. It is comforting, very comforting, that she's that bit closer.
NB : There is lots and lots of media coverage but has it helped the search?
GMC : A lot of people think Madeleine is dead. Today is about us stating our absolute categoric belief that there is no evidence that Madeleine has been seriously harmed. (5) Aucune preuve n'est vraiment nécessaire pour affirmer qu'un enfant de cet âge brutalement arraché à son milieu familial ne peut en sortir indemne, s'il s'en sort.
NB : How do you feel Madeleine?
KMC : It's a sense really, Madeleine is very close, it's kind of a sensation that she's there. You try and be objective and think that it's just because I'm her mum and because I want to believe.
GMC : The more research we've done and the more we've looked into these types of cases, the stronger my belief is now that there's a better chance Madeleine is alive. The bulk of data is actually based from the US. From the 115-a-year stereotypical kidnappings by strangers, 40-50 per cent are killed, which means that the majority are not killed. The younger the child the less likely is that child will be seriously harmed or killed. (6) Madeleine really is the right low limit. We were not said it's impossible. How many of the children who are never found and assumed to be dead are actually being brought up somewhere else? It's frightening to think of Natasha Kampusch (enlevée à 10 ans de la rue, s'est échappée 8 ans plus tard) and Shawn Hornbeck (enlevé à 11 ans de la rue par un pédophile, retrouvé par hasard 4 ans plus tard) and other kids...
KMC : The story in Austria shows how people can go off the radar. But they are still there and you owe it to that person to keep looking. It still gives you hope, it's horrible to think of the length of time and stuff and you think of a year ago. Imagine what it would have been like to get to a year, it would have killed me. A few days at that point were forever but it [Elisabeth Smart being found] gives you hope and it could be today, tomorrow or next week and you've got to keep hold of that hope.
GMC : It all gives you hope. People want to help. She's a completely innocent child and surely we can find her if everyone pulls together. Whatever anyone thinks of the situation Madeleine is innocent and she's a child. When we went to Washington and spoke to the people who had the most expertise we came out thinking she is out there. There's a really good chance she is still out there, based on years of experience of missing and abducted children. What Earnie Allen's (National Center for Missing and Exploited Children in Washington) exact words were are there are a host of scenarios by which Madeleine could still be out there. The experts are saying there is a strong chance Madeleine is out there but its back to what we need to do which is address the situation: Who took her? Is that person alone? If they are alone they don't live in isolation, they live in a town, in a holiday resort, they interact with people and they might have accomplices we don't know what motivates them. They have to shop, they have to buy things. People have got a description of a man. (7) It's trying to find a link somewhere, we feel incredibly passionate about it.
KMC : Even people who are classed as loners are known as the loner down the road.
NB : What about Sean and Amelie ?
KMC : Sean and Amelie talk about her constantly,. They include her in everything. They ask about her. They essentially still play with her and that's really heartening for us. A year down the line, our three-year-old twins still see it as that and if Madeleine walked in the door tomorrow they'd say which one do you want and play with her. They would shout 'Madeleine's home, lets go and play'. She is still a huge part of their life and ours.
NB : Have you explained to them what has happened ?
KMC : I've got my journal, but we took advice and have done everything that we thought was best for Sean and Amelie. A psychologist we spoke to said basically be honest. The problem is you haven't got a story to tell and can't fill in the facts. (8)
GMC : I hope she's back with us before they're of an age when they're on the internet and searching. We will face difficult decisions down the line and we are not forcing information on them. As they ask the questions, they are being told straight and the situation now is still they know Madeleine is missing. They have some understanding of the concept of being lost and that people are looking for them and they say heartbreaking things to us like they're going to find Madeleine and bring her home. (9)
KMC : They will say things like that because we talk about when Madeleine comes home.
NB : What about the new campaign ?
GMC : This is a local call number, no premium. It functions from abroad. My strong understanding is that will be a local call from abroad as well. People can leave information anonymously and we guarantee confidentiality.
KMC : We don't know what has been done and what hasn't been done (in the investigation). As parents not knowing what's being done, it gets to a time when we have to find out ourselves. (10)
GMC : We need to know and we want to know. The bulk of the information in the inquiry came from the UK. We knew there were thousands of leads that came through Crimestoppers and Leicestershire police. (11) The bulk of the people in Praia da Luz were British, Irish, Dutch and German. We need to co-operate with the authorities. We're not taking the law into our own hands. There will be jurisdictional issues. We believe it's an international investigation and our investigation is independent. It's cross border and focused on finding Madeline.
KMC : We don't know what the Portuguese police know.
GMC : Who can object to us, a year down the line, diverting resources. It's a year. We're not being given information that people are under supervision - if so we'd be keeping very quiet.
People had a fair crack. We just want as parents to make sure everything possible is being done. There's been a huge response. We don't know what came into Crimestoppers or Leicestershire. We have not had access and clearly we want access, what's been done and not been done.
KMC : We're not taking over the investigation but we're obviously trying to do something ourselves.
GMC : We are running an independent investigation and we believe it is an international enquiry and we will direct as much resources as we've got available into following up every lead. Any information coming in will be scrutinised, graded, followed up and acted on. Kate and I have been working behind the scenes on this with a few core people to launch today. There has been a considerable degree of planning over several weeks. We need every call. Every bit of information is important to us. Considerable resources are being directed into this. We might be overwhelmed. There might be multiple reasons why people have not come forward. In isolation it might not mean anything but it might when you look at the bigger picture.
KMC : I hope its not a bind for people and they will understand, but can you give it again and there might be some key information in there. Maybe it might make this move.
GMC : We have a right to information and what has been done to our daughter and if we are not given the information we will try and do anything. Anybody who has contacted any authority should contact us. (12)
NB : How do you see her?
KMC : When you picture her it's memories. I don't speculate on what situation she's in. It's memories. I don't have any vision of where she is now. I just sense her still being there. It's hard to explain really. It's a sensation, a feeling. It is comforting, very comforting, that she's that bit closer.
(1) Vient à terme le contrat passé avec Bell Pottinger, assurant pour 500 mille livres que Madeleine serait à la une dans toute la presse pendant un an.
(2) Il faut quand même avoir à l'esprit que les MC sont arguidos, donc suspects.. Ils ne sont pas censés solliciter des informations sans passer par la PJ. Leur statut de témoins assistés leur confère du reste certains droits, dont celui de demander une enquête sur telle ou telle question.
(3) Le rapport entre la petitesse du Portugal et le transfert de Madeleine à l'échelle internationale n'est pas clair.
(4) Pourtant le soudain statut d'arguido a enflammé les médias.
(5) Aucune preuve n'est vraiment nécessaire pour affirmer qu'un enfant de cet âge brutalement arraché à son milieu familial ne peut en sortir indemne, s'il s'en sort.
(6) Il n'est capable de citer que 3 cas, toujours les mêmes, et concernant des fillettes nettement plus âgées. Il fait dire aux stats ce qu'elles ne disent pas.
(7) Gerald se réfère probablement à Tannerman, le ravisseur officiel que SY élimina en octobre 2013.
(8) Il est sûr qu'essayer de faire comprendre, sans histoire, ce qui est arrivé à de si petits enfants est terriblement difficile.
(9) Une fois de plus Gerald se projette dans un avenir bien lointain... Les jumeaux ont juste 3 ans...
(11) Les MC essaieront en vain, à travers Mrs Justice Hogg, qui a la tutelle de Madeleine, d'avoir accès au dossier du LC.
(12)
La PJ, qui pourtant fait son travail, est mise à l'index. Que fait
Gerald MC de l'État de droit ? Après tout il y a des recours (voir note 2). Peut-on faire des reproches à la police lorsqu'on s'est dérobé à la
requête de reconstitution faite par le parquet, par exemple.
