Whatever France Is Doing, It's Not Funny

[Annie]

Excerpts:

http://www.time.com/time/columnist/printout/0,8816,661053,00.html

Tuesday, Jul. 06, 2004

Why the French Act Isn't Funny Anymore

Their resistance to helping in Afghanistan and Iraq is now downright dangerous
By CHARLES KRAUTHAMMER

.....

Chirac knows America's stake in both Afghanistan and Iraq. It is so great, and so obvious, that even in the midst of a bitterly fought election campaign, the opposition presidential candidate embraces the current Administration's objective of democratic reconstruction in both countries. Why then is Chirac making things as difficult as he can for the U.S.?

It is not just pique. It is not just antipathy to George Bush. And it is not just France's traditional and reflexive policy of trying to rein in, cut down and domesticate the world's greatest superpower so that ultimately secondary powers like France could emerge as leaders of a multipolar world.

There is something far deeper going on here. Beyond the anti-Americanism is an attempt to court the Muslim and Arab world. For its own safety and strategic gain, France is seeking a "third way" between America and its enemies. Chirac's ultimate vision is a France that is mediator and bridge between America and Islam. During the cold war, Charles de Gaulle invented this idea of a third force, withdrawing France from the NATO military structure and courting Moscow as a counterweight to Washington. Chirac, declaring in Istanbul that "we are not servants" of America, has transposed this Gaullist policy to the struggle with radical Islam.

Explosive population growth in the Arab world coupled with Europe's unprecedented baby bust presages a radical change in the balance of power in the Mediterranean world. Chirac perhaps sees a coming Muslim future or, at least, a coming Muslim resurgence. And he does not want to be on the wrong side of that history. The result is a classic policy of appeasement: stand up to the American presumption of dictating democratic futures to Afghanistan and Iraq; ingratiate yourself with the Arab world. Thus, for example, precisely at a time when the U.S. and many Western countries are shunning Yasser Arafat for supporting terrorism and obstructing peace, Chirac sends his Foreign Minister to the ruins of Arafat's compound to shake Arafat's hand for world cameras.

This is pure pandering but with an agenda. Chirac wants not only to make France the champion of the oppressed in general against the great American hegemon but also to make it in particular the champion of Arab aspirations against American imperialism. Even the left-leaning French newspaper Le Monde criticized Chirac for acting the "killjoy" in Istanbul. But Chirac's behavior was no mere outburst. It is a strategy for a French future. Chirac is charting a course — a collision course with America. Istanbul was just one accident scene. There are many more to come.

 

[dilloduck]

France may go on the list of countries that support terrorism soon. Is this what Bushs' critics expected him to do instead of going to war against terrorism? Let them see what happens to the French and Europe becuase of this policy.

 

[Annie]

I don't know about 'enemy list,' but I think we should be looking at removing 'favored trading status.' It becomes clearer with each passing month, that for whatever reason, France is working against what have long been considered 'similar interests.'

 

[rjw8652]

Yes, Kathianne - I'd say ever since the end of WW2 actually!


John

 

[DKSuddeth]

Originally posted by rjw8652
Yes, Kathianne - I'd say ever since the end of WW2 actually!


John

closer to indochina, probably pissed because they ran in shame and we, at least, left somewhat gracefully.

 

[freeandfun1]

Makes a lot of sense. Islam is the largest PRACTICED religion in France now.

Chirac is the most anti-America leader of France since Henri-Philippe Petain led Vichy France.

Frankly, since the end of WWII they have plotted against us. Their withdrawal from NATO was a HUGE slap in the face at the time. Screw France!

This could turn into a nasty situation very easily.

 

[rjw8652]

France - especially its limp-wristed ruling elite - is scared shitless of the Muslims. They have the biggest concentration of Muslims of any European country and they just don't know what to do with it.

This explains why they will NEVER get involved in any action in a Muslim country. Look how fast they were to show up in west Africa with their toy soldiers - these were Christian countries. They could shove their weight around without upsetting the pro-Islamic media.

Sudan is a very different ball game - it's Muslim, and to go in there, the French would risk the wrath of their huge Muslim population. They haven't got the balls for that, which is why you won't ever see the French in any Muslim country any more taking military action - genocide or not.


John

 

[insein]

Originally posted by freeandfun1
Makes a lot of sense. Islam is the largest PRACTICED religion in France now.

Chirac is the most anti-America leader of France since Henri-Philippe Petain led Vichy France.

Frankly, since the end of WWII they have plotted against us. Their withdrawal from NATO was a HUGE slap in the face at the time. Screw France!

This could turn into a nasty situation very easily.

France fucks us, but our Benedict Arnold Left in this country will say its our fault for letting France fuck us. We're definitely in a tight spot. How did we let these traitors achieve soo much power?