France rejoins NATO
Big ups to Nicolas Sarkozy who has announced that France will fully rejoin NATO ahead of the 60th anniversary of its creation next month.
Charles de Gaulle may be turning angrily in his grave in the village of Colombey-les-Deux-Eglises but his spiritual heir, Nicolas Sarkozy, shows no qualms or regret for his deed.
It was de Gaulle who, 43 years ago, slapped America by pulling France out of Nato’s military command, asserting that his country would follow its own strategy of deterrence.
And it was Sarkozy who, in a near-Oedipal act, overturned the time-honoured policy of his doctrinal father and national hero.
In doing so, Sarkozy is reshaping Franco-American ties in a way unimaginable a year ago and boosting his claim to being Europe’s big player with Washington, say analysts.
It is a brave bold move.
Last week Sarkozy declared: “A state alone, a solitary nation, is a nation without influence, and if we count for something, we have to know how to bind ourselves to allies and friendships.
“France wants peace. France wants freedom and France also knows who our friends are and who our enemies are. I’m not afraid to say it, our friends and allies are first and foremost the Western family.” De Gaulle’s move in 1966 enabled France to remain a political member of Nato and thus benefit from its pledge of mutual defence in the event of attack.
To be fair to Obama, it no doubt helps that he is now the President, rather than Bush. I can’t imagine this having been possible while Bush was President. But he credit goes to Sarkozy, and the challenge lies with Obama to capitalise on this extremely useful step.
March 16th, 2009 at 10:33 am
“It was de Gaulle who, 43 years ago, slapped America by pulling France out of Nato’s military command, asserting that his country would follow its own strategy of deterrence.”
Yeah right!..just like they did in two world wars.
March 16th, 2009 at 10:59 am
Time for a round of France-bashing I think.
Why are there so many tree lined roads in France? So the German Army can march in the shade.
March 16th, 2009 at 11:17 am
For Sale: One French WWII rifle. Near mint condition – never fired, dropped once.
March 16th, 2009 at 11:22 am
Do you know the famous quote of Caesar’s? Veni, Vedi, Vici. I came, I saw, I Conquored.
The WWII French motto was “Veni, Vedi, Vichy” I came, I saw, I Concurred.
March 16th, 2009 at 11:36 am
“To be fair to Obama, it no doubt helps that he is now the President, rather than Bush. I can’t imagine this having been possible while Bush was President. But he credit goes to Sarkozy, and the challenge lies with Obama to capitalise on this extremely useful step.”
Yeah, great, the USA is now one with Europe on the very policies of appeasement of sworn enemies that made WW2 that much more disastrous when it became unavoidable.
But hey, I loove the French WW2 jokes, guys, keep it up. Except now we need some jokes about all those “unemployed youths” who regularly riot and burn cars, without their race or religion ever being mentioned in the MSM.
March 16th, 2009 at 1:03 pm
Well firstly, who knew they’d left suck was their standing. Secondly, who wants them on their flank?
March 16th, 2009 at 2:24 pm
How many Frenchmen does it take to defend Paris?
We don’t know. It’s never been tried!
March 16th, 2009 at 9:24 pm
Sarkozy = Harper = Blair = Bush = they all play games with wider agendas beyond the superficial that have long term ramifications usually negative in effect. I suggest you keep an eye on this development and think about the 3-5 year ramifications as it unfolds.
March 16th, 2009 at 10:10 pm
Yeah, although France still sees itself as the natural leader of Europe and is more interested in a French led EU military than NATO. Although, of course, they aren’t interested in paying for it. A nation in terminal decline.