Mitterrand's final word before the vote

TOMORROW, the Independent on Sunday publishes an interview with Francois Mitterrand, expected to be the French President's final word to the media before his nation votes on ratification of the Maastricht treaty in its 20 September referendum.

The questions were put to Mr Mitterrand as he went into hospital in Paris for a prostate operation, which was performed yesterday. The condition of the 75-year-old President was later described as satisfactory, but he will be in the Cochin hospital for a week, and thus out of circulation for the rest of the referendum campaign.

(Photograph omitted)