Posted on 02/15/2005 8:18:02 PM PST by Alex Marko
Ask Michèle Alliot-Marie, the French defence minister, about France's relationship with the US and she does not mention Iraq, or even Iran. Instead she talks about history.
"We have often been together from the very beginning of American democracy and then when the US came and helped us during the Second World War," she says, sitting in the high-ceilinged, opulent splendour of her Hôtel de Brienne office, among the towering portraits of France's military heroes. "The relationship between France and the US is the foundation of the transatlantic relationship."
Such is the nature of bilateral relations following the re-election of George W. Bush. First came the charm offensives by Condoleezza Rice, US secretary of state, and Donald Rumsfeld, the defence secretary. The French reciprocated, giving Ms Rice a collective embrace during her fence-mending speech in Paris last week and even cosying up to Mr Rumsfeld during the Nato defence minister's meeting in Nice, which was hosted by Ms Alliot-Marie. ("He was very warm," she says.)
In the three years she has served as France's first female defence minister, Ms Alliot-Marie has borne the brunt of much of the friction that led up to and followed the war in Iraq. But now she is at the forefront of the French side of the transatlantic détente.
She has constantly emphasised France's leading role in Nato - it has the second largest number of troops under Nato command, and a French general has, until recently, commanded Nato forces in both Afghanistan and Kosovo - and in an hour-long interview with the FT and Les Echos, the FT's sister newspaper, argues that even Iraq has become a place where views are converging.
"I think that the US administration understands that our position is not against them and they are confident when we say that nobody has any interest in a crisis in Iraq," she says. "When countries like France or Germany are helping the training of Iraqi troops, or gendarmes, they consider that it is also a real help to rebuilding Iraq."
As the former head of France's Gaullist party and fiercely loyal to President Jacques Chirac, Ms Alliot-Marie boasts the political weight and the personal connections in Paris to give her ministry clout. Her ability to wring extra funds out of the finance ministry has won her the admiration of France's top brass. "I have a much higher budget than my predecessor," she says laughing. "That is a very important point."
Like her president, Ms Alliot-Marie has a grand vision of France's and, by extension, Europe's role in a multi-polar world and aims to project her country's national interests and values. She states her determination to help reinvigorate Nato and strengthen the EU's nascent military capabilities to ensure the organisation can intervene effectively in the many global crises she fears are looming.
But it is this very effort that continues to raise concerns on the US side of the Atlantic, even as the two sides attempt reconciliation.
She acknowledges that Washington appears to have ambivalent views about the formation of this new EU military capability, just as it did about the creation of a single European currency a decade ago. In spite of Washington's suspicion, she insists France's motives are pure: "If we are stronger, Europe will more easily be able to play a role in Nato operations," she says.
It is not the only issue that keeps the sides at a measured distance under the gloss of the newly friendly rhetoric, however. On Iran, the US continues to push for a more aggressive stance against its nascent nuclear programme than France is comfortable with.
"I think that the US administration is also confident about our will to stop Iran from having nuclear arms," she says, before adding: "Maybe they think that our methods are not hard enough."
Equally, the French backing of a move to lift the EU's arms embargo on China has the potential to re-ignite tensions, with Washington already warning of possible congressional retaliation.
Even on issues such as Afghanistan, where there is much wider agreement on the way forward, Ms Alliot-Marie balks at some of the new initiatives being pushed by the Pentagon, including a single command to oversee both the US and Nato's missions to the country.
Does she think France and the US can avoid another public row over these issues, particularly Iran and China? "I hope so," she laughs.
Whatever. Delusions of grandeur combined with being completely full of c$$p and you get stuff like this.
The Grand Vision in Europe does NOT include the US. Haven't they figured this out by NOW ???
"I think that the US administration understands that our position is not against them...."
Can you imagine a deeper pile of bull****?
What are the French going to teach the Iraqi troops or police, how to demand bribes or go on strike?
Ms Alliot-Marie has a grand vision of France's… role in a multi-polar world…
LOL…
She states her determination to help reinvigorate Nato and strengthen the EU's nascent military capabilities
I agree; France had better get a decent military. If they get into trouble, it’s a sure bet that America won’t be over there to help France.
France is a backstabber. This French woman sees through rose-colored glasses.
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