Sarkozy and Bush speak warmly of French-US relations but I remember not too long ago a certain French nation denouncing the U.S. over Iraq.
Sarkozy is the first French leader in a decade asked to address a joint session of Congress.
Sarkozy also pledged to US lawmakers that France would support the US in Afghanistan.
I wonder where he has been the past four years while American troops have been committed to both Iraq and Afghanistan.
If Sarkozy were sincere there would be tangible action taken and not just the empty words spoken to Bush.
Is Sarkozy hinted that he expects a Republican victory next year?
Shouldn't he be cozying up to the leading Democratic nominees in anticipation of an anti-Bush, diplomacy-hinged Democrat in the White House?
Sarkozy did state: "The idea of Iran having a nuclear weapon is dangerous and therefore now is the time for us to work together to diplomatically solve this problem."
He added: "I want to tell you that whenever an American soldier falls somewhere in the world, I think of what the American army did for France."
If he would think harder, he would commit French troops and monetary support. With none forthcoming, his diplomacy falls on deaf ears.
In any case, Sarkozy is attempting to be much warmer than his predecessor, Jacques Chirac.
Is Sarkozy to be believed when he says: "Let me tell you solemnly today, France will remain engaged in Afghanistan as long as it takes, because what's at stake in that country is the future of our values and that of the Atlantic alliance."
Sarkozy will bring France back into NATO's military command structure after several decades outside which is a step in the right direction. But, what role should NATO take in a post-Soviet world is the more important, but unspoken, question.
Sarkozy's promise is to "reconquer America's heart" but frankly the man leaves me cold, the nation even more so. I want to figure out what his angle is.
Sarkozy is identified as the most pro-American French leader in some time and indeed his own background seems like a typical, mixed bag of types: he is the son of a Hungarian immigrant and a French-Greek woman whose father was Jewish. He enthusiastically endorses the American work ethic and popular culture. On the other hand, maybe he should be taken at his word. He stated in Testimony, his 2006 campaign book: “If I was in love with the American model, I’d go and live there. This is not the case." 'Nuff said.
What should be kept in mind in all this mutual admiration sentiment is the actual 2003 position of France which opposed the US-led invasion of Iraq. Meanwhile, we have shed our blood and paid the price. What has France done for the cause?
The mystery player is the former Soviet power in the form of Russia which more recently has been cozying up as well, to Iran.
Posts
