New French FM says Paris will continue to snub Syria
Bernard Kouchner says Paris doesn't believe Damascus respects Lebanon's autonomy.
By ReutersPARIS - France's new foreign minister, Bernard Kouchner, said Friday that Paris would continue to snub Syria because it did not believe Damascus respected Lebanon's autonomy.
Speaking during a visit to Lebanon, Kouchner told Europe 1 radio that French foreign policy in the region would reflect that of the previous president, Jacques Chirac, who left office earlier this month and was close to the Lebanese government.
"We are ready to talk with all personalities and representatives of groups who are in favor of Lebanon's unity, its autonomy and its territorial integrity," Kouchner said.
"This clearly means we don't have to talk to Syrian leaders," he said, adding that France might be ready to resume contact as soon as the Syrian position on Lebanon changed.
Kouchner's trip to Lebanon was his first visit outside Europe since his surprise appointment by President Nicolas Sarkozy last week, sending a clear signal that France intended to keep close ties to its former colony.
His trip also coincided with Lebanon's worst internal violence since the 1975-1990 civil war with the army fighting a militant group, Fatah al-Islam, in the north of the country.
Asked if Syria represented a "threat" for Lebanon, Kouchner said: "[The threat] comes especially from that side, but it also comes from other directions in a region, that as you know, will never find peace until the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is peacefully resolved."
He added that Iran was also influencing the situation as was the "chaos" in Iraq.
Kouchner is a leading light on the French left and his decision to join the cabinet of the rightist Sarkozy stunned many of his friends. However, the minister told Europe 1 that he would remain true to his ideals.
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I realize any thing that happens in Lebanon Syria is behind it according to America and its European puppet state France who does what Washington may not do all this as poor little Syria suffers to help millions of Iraqi refuges feed care for its own people Syria with drew its military from Lebanon is this the act of a agressor no it did like America did in Viet Nam in 1975 it with draw because it realized Lebanon was only for Lebanon Syria has nothing to do with the Palisteinian refuge camps in Lebanon or its politics all Syria wants is the Golen Heights returned to Syria RIGHT ??? THANK YOU... M. Segal
Characterizing Pres. Sarkozy as a "rightist" is a gross oversimplification, probably based on him being a law-and-order type, and noticing that France has gotten into trouble by having no controls over immigration. In fact, Mr. Sarkozy is very pro-democracy and human rights; as Interior Ministry, he implemented several innovative programs to better integrate France's minorities; he named 7 women to his cabinet of 15 (a record number of women for a French cabinet, despite previous cabinets having many more members); he is a real environmentalist; and he is planning a number of needed reforms to fix some of France's economic and social problems -- sounds pretty progressive to me. I think that Dr. Kouchner will fit in well. I am looking forward to France playing a much more constructive role in international affairs.
France and Lebanon have always been natural allies, like US and Israel have. France created Lebanon, developed its institutions and has had a special policy of education in Lebanon, since the 18th century. That is why more than half Lebanese speak French fluently. Actually, in East Beirut, people prefer French to English. France has always sat side by side with Lebanon, and it is not a change in government, that will change its policy toward that country. France has an interest in preserving Lebanon's original characteristics, and most Lebanese, be them Christian, Sunni, Druze or Shia (with some exceptions)support that.
True, but the situation has changed since Chirac. With events unfolding as they are in Lebanon, and new groups coming to and struggling for power, France (and Germany's) position also will be interpreted differently. As I wrote before, how long does anyone give it before France sees a suicide bombing?
This is quite remarkable. Here is what the FM had to say "foreign policy in the region would reflect that of the previous president, Jacques Chirac" And here is what the readers above are mostly concluding "Could it be? Could Sarkozy play a strong role in removing or crippling Ass ad and mullah regime in Syria and Iran?" and see evidence that "European countries are waking up". In fact the article's title says France will **continue** to snub Syria. So what's new? Except that of course that BB said sarkozy, as opposed to Chirac, is good for the Jews...and that got lots of people excited, nu?
You are absolutely correct. I am simply baffled by the blunders in foreign policies by the allies. It such a shame, cos they come so close to tightening the noose around a dictator or regime and then one of the allies starts backing off. As the US is doing now. They rightly criticised Chirac, but when NS of France shows a pro US stance the US changes its plans and pushes him away.
How ironic. Just as some European countries are waking up from their daydream of a Europe in which Islamics have willingly melted into the European melting pot, the US is just beginning it's daydream. One wakes up and the other begins to doze off. If France and the US ever get it right at the same time, there might be hope for western civilization. I envision the day when Democrats get power in the US and retreat from the war against terror while the Europeans scream at them to wake up the way they have woken up. My question is: why can't Europe and the US go to sleep at the same time and wake up at the same time? Look at the Islamic fanatics - THEY NEVER SLEEP.
You betcha !
There was never a signal more clear that Bush is in the wrong. Does he know that the French are taking the same diplomatic stand as he is concerning Syria?
Could it be? Could Sarkozy play a strong role in removing or crippling Assad and mullah regime in Syria and Iran? No more double messages and support? Could it be?