Nicolas Sarkozy: Regaining a seat amongst the 'nations that count.'

Dernières Nouvelles d'Alsace, France

In Europe and America,

the French Are Back …

"It is amongst that states that count most in the world that France wants to make a return … and not to occupy a special place, surrounded by a small court of admirers forever saluting France's courage in having said no to the Americans in 2003."

By Jean-Claude Kiefer

Translated By Sandrine Ageorges

August 23, 2007

France - Dernières Nouvelles d'Alsace - Home Page (French)

The past 100 days has truly seen a change in French foreign policy. Slowly but surely it has charted a new course, dictated by realism rather than by a "certain idea of France" dear to the Fifth Republic [founded by Charles de Gualle ].

Is it because of Bernard Kouchner? He takes his orders directly from the Elysée [France's Presidential palace]. Is it according to the clearly expressed will of the President of the Republic? He of all people knows how to seize an opportunity in a timely manner, even if it isn't in complete accord with the long-time religion of "grandeur" practiced at the Quai d'Orsay [French Foreign Ministry]. In any case, in reality this was just a beautiful hypocrisy, since no one can be unaware that France lacks the means to achieve such ambitions.

"France is back in Europe," said Nicolas Sarkozy the day of his election to the presidency. Since then, he has added: "France is back in America." However "being back" means that beforehand, there had to have been a rupture and that henceforward, France will follow the general rule rather than stand aside in splendid isolation.

Within the European framework, this "general rule" is clear: After two years of awkward silence due to the rejection of the European Constitution, France is again playing ball by supporting the "modified treaty," which she has widely inspired to dig the project out of its institutional dead-end. France will also make her voice heard at the European Council and propose new policies, most notably on the role of the European Central Bank.

But where, one might ask, will be "the point of return" for Franco-American relations? This will be seen firstly within NATO, if - to Moscow's great displeasure - we go along with the controversial proposal to install anti-missile radar facilities in Central Europe. Next is in regard to the new-found rapport with the United-States - a rapport that was unhealthy to leave to the British, although France isn't looking to compete with it. Bernard Kouchner's visit to Iraq is in line with this view, although this won't at all change the catastrophic situation in that country.

"In three months, France has reconciled herself with everyone," says Nicolas Sarkozy, in reference to his travels to Libya or Algeria and his "contacts" with Syria. Nonetheless, the overall diplomatic results remain thin, except perhaps in Darfur.

But first and foremost, it is amongst the states that count most in the world that France wants to make a return … and not to occupy a special place amidst a small court of admirers who forever salute France's courage in having said no to the Americans in 2003. Times really have changed …

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