The University of Lorraine informed me yesterday (31.01.2022) of its official decision regarding the paper I wrote in 1998 as part of my DEA (diplôme d'études approfondies).
The University explicitly puts the thesis into the context of accepted citation and drafting instructions within the DEA as practiced more than 20 years ago.
The University also confirms that this paper is not a thesis but a synthesis, i.e., a compilation of documents, as was customary and accepted for a DEA at that time.
It is important for me to reiterate that it was not my intention to mislead anyone at the time. Also, the University recognizes that this is an "original work". I have listed my sources in the bibliography. At the same time, however, I did not provide separate text references for individual passages, which can be considered "a form of plagiarism."
The University has decided that I could keep my DEA, upon subsequent insertion of the missing text references.
However, after careful consideration, I have made the decision for myself to ask the University to rescind my DEA. This is to remove any doubts about the merits of the DEA and to avoid a loss of confidence in the academic work.
I regret this situation and ask the University to accept my apology and my decision.
Press release by the Ministry of State