French and German Complicity with Saddam

February 18, 2003 - Why are the French and Germans so determined in their opposition to the United States in our efforts against Saddam Hussein?

A simple answer could be that they're jealous. Another might be that they're opposed in principle to the use of force. Well, maybe.

But consider the cost of that opposition. The United States is one of Frances largest trading partner, outside of the EU itself, buying over $31 billion in French goods every year. So, angering us over a matter of petty pride seems unbalanced. In addition, the UN is the only forum in which France can indulge the illusion that they exercise the prerogatives of a great power as a permanent member of the Security Council. So, pushing the UN into irrelevance might also push France off the world stage.

Neither of these seems to be in France's interest, and jealousy seems a strange motive for a country so driven by the desire to maximize profit and minimize pain. After all, France has a history of compromising her pride to avoid unpleasant consequences. She's also ready to sacrifice her principles when the mood suits her.

Vichy illustrates both tendencies perfectly. That regime was no aberration. The government of Marshall Petain was not only legally constituted, but, in 1940, had the support of most Frenchmen as well as the majority of national and local politicians. For the leaders of Vichy, it was a good business deal. Many profited greatly from their relationship with the Germans. For the common Frenchman, the arrangement kept the war at bay for a good two years. It wasn't until Germany occupied Vichy France, and imposed the full weight of German occupation, that Petain's popularity began to wane.

So why would a nation so incapable of acting out of either sentimentality or principle oppose a war against Saddam's Iraq, a war backed by over 40 other nations?

When the US military hits the ground and starts searching all those suspect sites, we're going to find that the French, and probably the Germans, have been deeply involved in aiding Saddam's WMD efforts, in spite of UN sanctions. The evidence will point to the involvement not only of French and German companies, but their governments as well.

Just take a look at the French companies that have been part of Iraq's weapons programs, according to the Iraqi's own accounting in their last report to the UN. They include

These companies are among France's largest defense firms. The French government has a substantial interest in each of them. Therefore, they've had a direct economic stake in maintaining Saddam.

Even under UN sanctions, France was the largest of Iraq's trading partners, representing over 22% of Iraq's imports last year, totaling over $3 billion.

It seems probable that these relationships didn't end just because of the UN sanctions or US pressure. Since when do legalities sway France.

Now, what about the Germans? The evidence here is inferential, but look at their history. The Germans have provided precursor chemicals to Iraq in the past. In fact, the chemical industry of Germany is one of the most advanced in the world and a mainstay of their national economy. In addition, the Germans have an unsavory history of supplying weapons technology to disreputable Middle Eastern regimes. Witness their cooperation with Nasser in the sixties and the Iranians to this day.

We can only deduce the German's guilt by observing their irrational cooperation with the French against the US and even in opposition to their clear obligations under the NATO charter. No political calculation by Schroeder can explain this unless the very existence of his government is at stake. And it might be. Pacifist sentiment in Germany is real. He's cynically exploited it. However, revelations about German involvement in Iraqi activities, contrary to both UN resolutions and public pronouncements, could topple an already shaky Gerhardt Schroeder.

Jacques Chirac, on the other hand, probably has little to worry about from his own electorate. I think they're as cynical as he is. However, France's international prestige will suffer serious damage.

Both France and Germany face high political costs if we discover any collusion between them and Saddam's regime.

When the competent, incorruptible and determined men and women of the US military, and intelligence agencies, take the place of the hapless keystone kops of Inspector Blix, the truth will come out. As my Mother would say, "mark my words".

Schroeder has several possible reasons to stick with France. In addition to those given, Germany needs France because the smaller European countries are extremely suspicious of them after two world wars and several earlier adventures in the 19th century. So Germany and France have formed an axis of cooperation through which they have ambitions to rule Europe.

As for France, it's likely enough. An article was posted yesterday pointing out that Chirac is a close friend of Saddam's and that he was personally involved in selling Saddam the weapons grade nuclear plant which the Israelis blew up.

If so, it's extremely stupid. Bush is a gentleman, and would not have been inclined to blame his allies if he discovered their dirty laundry. The clinton precedent makes that clear. But if France makes enough trouble, he might well change his mind.

"It's all about oil" - really -

Russia became Iraq’s largest trading partner under the UN oil-for-food program since 1996 — she sold US$4 billion worth of products under that trade, and is still waiting to recover US$12 billion in pre-Gulf-war debts, something only possible once sanctions are lifted. Likewise, in 1997, a Russian conglomerate, Lukoil, signed a US$4 billion contract to develop Iraqi oil fields, which again, can proceed only once sanctions are lifted.

Similarly, Iraq has been courting France, buying US$1.5 billion in products last year, and signing lucrative contracts with French car-makers Renault and Peugeot, and communications giant Alcatel. Similarly, Total Fina Elf, a French oil company, has been given rights to develop the large Majnoon and Bin Umar oil fields, which are believed to contain more than three times as much oil as all of Total Fina Elf’s total reserves at the moment.

On Dec. 8 last year, Iraq sent France and Russia a message — it cancelled the US$4 billion Lukoil contract. French firms began pressuring the French government to help Iraq, and Total Fina Elf began looking for assurances its contracts wouldn’t be next. On January 17, Lukoil announced it had "persuaded" Iraq to reinstate the cancelled contract the same day Russia announced it had signed three oil exploration deals with Iraq, that industry sources said could amount to as much as US$40 billion. Meanwhile, since mid-January, Russia has been toeing the Iraqi line, praising Iraqi "cooperation" with inspectors and criticising the US. France’s recent statements opposing a new Security Council resolution are also likely tied up with such contract offers.

SOURCE

Yes we French have interests in Iraq and in many other places even in the US as well. And so what ? The fact is that interests don't matter when it comes to opinions ! We will not sell our soul for a handfull (or two) of dirty dollars and surly not for the American way of life !!!

Oh, liberty and democracy? That way of life? Sit way in the back of the room, Jacques.

By the way, you assume you have a soul. The fact that your country continued to sell aircraft parts to the Iraqis for the purposes of killing British and American soldiers indicates you have none.

Whatever Bush may believe America is not, has never been and will never be the greatest nation in the World simply because it is a paranoic thought.

Name one other country that has the same influence, economic and military strength?

Thruth is, the Bush administration is a dangerous group of apocalyptic and evangelic fundumentalists.

Please cite your evidence for this ridiculous assertion apart from L'Humanite.

Bush and Bin Laden could be mental brothers. They have the same goal...and manners don't differ very much either.

Proof? I don't remember where Bush said he was going to fly jets into Iraqi or Afghani buildings with innocent women and children on board, specifically for the purpose of killing civilians.

In the cold war some used to say : rather red than dead. Today, are we supposed to have the choice between rather muslim or uncle Sam's slave ? Let me say that the answer is rather dead, but I'm not talking about suicide. America should know better than everyone that everything has its price !

America is not an imperial power. The fact of the matter remains that America and Britain occupied your country after freeing it from the Germans - the only places we took were to bury our dead. You are hardly a slave; one might ask you to get out of the way when we are defending your freedom to be a bunch of pompous arses.

You seem to prefer the Muslim option. Wonder how you will feel once the once-topless women on the Cote d'Azure are forced to put on a burqua.

As for everyone and everything having a price - everything that is stained by being French certainly does. But you cannot buy the Americans, nor can you buy we British either. We are going to stick to our principles. You may cynically sell us, two peoples who have saved you twice, up the river, but we have not performed a similar discourtesy.

Ivan

..."We will not sell our soul for a handfull (or two) of dirty dollars and surly not for the American way of life !!!

I agree... Your French leaders and business men sold for something far less valuable that American dollars...

You backstabbing bastards sold your soul for worthless debt from a criminal that we will execute...

This will mean that your backstabbing bastards sold your soul for NOTHING of value to your country.. I suspect that some of your leaders may have profited -- but not the citizens..

Oh, and by the way...... Buy lots of warm clothing... It's going to get very expensive to heat your homes or run your autos after all the "sweetheart" deals are revoked..

The French and all her allies will not amount to a heap of stinking feces.....once France's seat in the UN in rendered worthless.... Kiss off....and good ridance..

Semper Fi

It's quite clear that France has already sold its soul "for a handful of dirty dollars". So, no pontification on your part will change the facts on the ground.

You may resent us, but let's not forget who gave us collaboration raised to an art form; Napolean III; the terror of a french revolution descending into an orgy of murder and destruction after starting with such high hopes; and the continued glorification of a tyrant, Napolean, who's life was dedicated to the conquest of other European nations.

As to your claim that our government is driven by evangelical and apocalyptic fundamentalists, I'd remind you that, while you sat comfortably in your socialist cocoon, we witnessed an apocalypse in Manhattan. So, if we seem a little too driven for your tastes, we don't care!

The last time France was threatened, the whole country lay down and offered the Germans whatever they wanted.

The facts speak for themselves!!

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