Frankrig præciserede, at underskuddene i perioden fra 1991 til 2001 ikke kun skyldtes public service-kontrakten, således som CFF syntes at påstå, men at public service-forpligtelserne havde forhindret SNCM i at tilpasse sig ændringerne i konkurrenceforholdene.
France states that the losses suffered between 1991 and 2001 were not attributable only to the public service delegation, as CFF appears to assert, but that the public service obligations prevented SNCM from adapting to the change in the competitive environment.