The French Return to Iraq: An early Bush-Sarkozy dividend?

France's Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner (L) listens to his

Iraqi counterpart, Hoshyar Zebari.

Journal du Dimanche au Quotidien, France

In Baghdad, a 'Historic

Change' in French Policy

"There's a poignant contrast between the Green Zone and the rest of the city … No, things are not going well … we must be here, there is a need for us to be here. One can't grasp how badly things are going without being here."

-- Bernard Kouchner, French Foreign Minister

Mélanie Roddier

Translated By Sandrine Ageorges

August 21, 2007

France - Journal du Dimanche au Quotidien - Original Article (French)

A change in attitude: The trip of Bernard Kouchner to Iraq marks a break in the management of the Iraqi issue. Without aligning himself with the United-States and nevertheless "concerned" by the lack of confidence among Iraqi factions, the "French doctor" emphasized that Paris must involve itself in the battle to stabilize the country, while seeking action by the United Nations and Europe.

A few days after Nicolas Sarkozy and George Bush met in the United-States, Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner was in Baghdad. Coincidence or not, this voyage fits neatly on the French President's list of initiatives regarding Franco-American relations. If, however, Bernard Kouchner denies aligning himself with the United-States, it is on the other hand more difficult to deny the change of diplomatic orientation regarding Iraq; all the more so when, on the ground, the French doctor advised "turning the page."

The event is historic: it's the first visit of a French diplomatic chief in almost twenty years, and Kouchner's presence demonstrates the will of Paris to commit itself more actively in the struggle to stabilize the country. In an interview with RTL, he emphasized this change: "Before, there was an attitude which consisted of saying: 'Get lost, there's nothing to see, it's so complicated, the rot is so deep that we shouldn't preoccupy ourselves.' … Well this is not the attitude of France today."

At the very least realistic, Bernard Kouchner acknowledged during his meeting with Iraqi President Jalal Talabani - whom he has long known - not to have a miracle solution to the crisis in the country. However, estimating that "France has a particular role in this region," he recalled that "the Americans cannot handle this situation alone," he repeated his wish to see the United Nations re-enter the scene. "Europe and the U.N.O. must play a part in Iraq," he declared Tuesday [Aug. 21].

And although he wants to see things evolve, the Foreign Minister hasn't broken with past principles of French policy. "We very clearly distinguished ourselves from the American policy, we were not in favor of the American intervention and I believe that we were correct," he added.

KOUCHNER 'WORRIED'

For Bernard Kouchner, this new cooperation must begin by listening to the central communities. "Listen to the Iraqis, and affirm to them that the solution to their problem must be Iraqi, listen to all of the communities and preserve the sovereignty, integrity and democracy in Iraq. For France, this is essential," declared the Minister, at the end of his meeting with President Jalal Talabani. It's very hard to imagine how the Foreign Minister will be able to act in regard to a country that is so profoundly torn. In a context of such extreme sensitivity, it seems quite premature to discuss political solutions.

Bernard Kouchner pronounced himself "anxious" about the evolution of the situation, recounting his having discovered a disaster-stricken Iraqi capital. "There's a poignant contrast between the Green Zone and the rest of the city … No, things are not going well," he said, adding: "we must be here, there is a need for us to be here. One can't grasp how badly things are going without being here."

Beyond even the state of the region, Bernard Kouchner estimated on his return that confidence is lacking among the various Iraqi political groups. This intervention, as spectacular as any of Nicolas Sarkozy's previous interventions, was only to resume a dialogue with Baghdad, while waiting to see how the United Nations will decide to react.

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