Tuesday, September 19, 2006

France Held Hostage   [Stanley Kurtz]

Has France been taken hostage?  In effect, that is what this article in the Independent says.
Up to now, of all the countries of Europe, France has taken the toughest line on nuclear proliferation in Iran.  But in a dramatic reversal, France seems to have caved.  According to the Independent, here’s why:

The French President is the first European leader to state publicly that a freeze by Iran is not a precondition for opening talks. The concession to Iran seems to be linked to events in Lebanon, where there had been concern that French soldiers may be targeted by Iran's proxy militia, Hizbollah, over France's previously hardline stance in the nuclear negotiations.

I suppose we can all revert to jokes about French cowardice.  But honestly, I find this shocking.  Combine this with the refusal of many NATO countries to contribute their assigned share of troops to Afghanistan, or even to allow troops already there into the battle zone in a strictly supportive role, and the picture of European dereliction is simply stunning.

09/19 10:07 AMShare