Governor General designate Michaelle Jean ended her silence Wednesday on the recent allegations that she and her husband harboured separatist sympathies.

In a written statement from Rideau Hall, Jean affirmed her and Jean-Daniel Lafond's commitment to Canada.

"I want to tell you unequivocally that both he (husband Jean-Daniel Lafond) and I are proud to be Canadians and that we have the greatest respect for the institutions of our country," Jean said in a brief written statement released Wednesday.

"We are fully committed to Canada. I would not have accepted this position otherwise."

Jean also dismissed rumours that she and Lafond supported the Quebec independence cause.

"We are equally proud of the attachment to Quebec that we have always shown beyond any partisan considerations. Let me be clear: we have never belonged to a political party or the separatist movement," she says.

While some hoped Jean would explain her views in person, they seemed willing to accept her written remarks.

"The statement was excellent; it was an unambiguous statement of loyalty to Canada and its institutions," John Aimers, head of the Monarchist League of Canada, told CTV News. "And I think reasonable people will be satisfied."

Prime Minister Paul Martin issued a statement of his own, saying that "there is no doubt in my mind that her devotion to Canada is longstanding and resolute."

Martin added that he extends his "unqualified support as she prepares to assume the post of Governor General."

Conservative Leader Stephen Harper, meanwhile, said he was pleased with Jean's profession of faith in Canada. But he criticized Martin for the way he handled the controversy and the appointment process, saying the prime minister still needs to clear the air about Jean.

"I still think there are probably questions he's going to have to answer on some of the specific things that have been in the newspaper or on television," Harper said during a visit to Halifax on Wednesday.

The controversy

The controversy largely began after Quebec media reported on a documentary made 12 years ago by Jean's husband.

Critics pointed to a scene in the film where several people seated around a table raise their glasses to independence, including Jean and former FLQ member Pierre Vallieres.

A companion book to the film, written by Lafond, quotes Jean as saying that "one doesn't give independence; one takes it." It's unclear what her comments are referring to.

Quebec media also added fuel to the rumours by unearthing quotations made by Lafond from a book he wrote in 1993.
In it, he says: "I applaud with both hands" Quebec independence and promises to be at "all St. Jean (Baptiste) parades."

Even before the film came to light, Jean had come under scrutiny after allegations were levelled last week that she and Lafond and were once known in Quebec cultural circles as sovereigntists.

Parti Quebecois leadership hopeful Pauline Marois didn't support or rebuff the allegations Wednesday, but she said people have a right to change their minds.

"You can make another evaluation of the situation and have another point of view and defend another point of view," Marois said in Montreal. "It's not for me to judge this."

"I have a great respect for Mrs. Jean," she added, "and I think she's a woman with great intelligence."

Jean's dual citizenship

Meanwhile, French embassy officials are trying to determine whether an obscure law could cost Jean her dual citizenship.

According to an embassy spokesman, an article of France's civil code states that a French citizen cannot hold public or military office in a foreign country.

In her new post, Jean would not only be Canada's de facto head of state but also commander-in-chief of the Canadian military.

"We have no indication of any use of this in the past," the spokesman said. "So this is an interesting point, but only for a specialist in French law."

Jean took out French citizenship after marrying her husband, who is originally from France.

Jean did not comment on her dual citizenship in her statement released Wednesday. However, it doesn't appear to be a pressing matter.

"(French embassy officials) have never asked anyone to renounce their citizenship in the past and they don't really have any plans to ask Jean to renounce her citizenship in the future," Thompson reported.

Jean will assume the office of governor general on Sept. 27.