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The French Ambassador to the US Jean-David Levitte spoke at my college (George Washington University) this afternoon. Thought you might be interested in some of what he had to say.
He started the speech by nothing that in September of 2001 he was the French Ambassador to the UN and head of the Security Council. On September 11th he was in the French Mission and saw the towers go down. That day he knew that there were two options facing the world. Either the US goes it alone or we can build a new coalition to face these problems. He said that He, and France chose the latter and that the next day he presented to the security council that the events of September 11th were an act of war, not limited just to those who had perpetrated the acts, but those who harbour, feed, equip and pay for terrorism. "The Whole World was United with the US". France commited 5,000 troops and the Aircraft Carrier Charles DeGaulle to the Afghan effort. We should continue the war on terror.
But, he said there is a misunderstanding he believes on the basis of two terms. First "War" He said Europe views this not as a war but as a fight not against terrorism, but against Terrorists. Whereas Americans feel they are at war. The second word is sovereignty. Because of the lessons of Europeanization and world war II the Europeans SHARE soverignty, whereas the US has a view of DEFENDING Soverignty. "Let us turn this page. The War is past...Let us think positive <sic>".
Iraq is important to peace in the Middle East as well as to Muslim/Western peace. For this reason, he says, we must turn what is viewed as an occupying force into a security force upholding Iraqi soverignty. Support the Iraqis on their own timetable to recovery. The transfer is not impossible, it has been done through the coalition in Afghanistan. never underestimate Arab Nationalism. It is strong. For that reason the sooner we give Iraq its soverignty the better. Now is the time for debate on the best way to move forward. France will offer its opinions, as will others, and they will not vote NO on any resolution aiding Iraq. if we feel it is wrong we will abstain, because the real goal is helping the Iraqis. The Middle East is in Europe's backyard. Around the World the US and France are working side-by-side to make it a better place (talked about the Balkans, Macedonia, Congo).
Contrary to popular US opinion France is not trying to build a counterweight to American Power in Europe. Rather they have begun Europeanization to make war in Europe impossible (after the lessons of WWII). THe EU is good for the US. We can help. When you need troops, logistics and support you aren't going to go to China or Brazil, you come to Europe. We want to be a strong, efficent partner with a solid foreign policy. Our taxpayers aren't willing to pay for a European army to counter-balance the US military. But we do need an independent force. "We are not building the United States of Europe. We are trying to build a common destingy with hundreds of years og history, with many languages and cultures." THere is not a single European Culture, and we arent' trying to create one. We want to preserve individual cultures.
On Franco-American Relations, he said "These relations are a pleasure". On September 11th "We were a step from chaos" We were "confronted by a world of chaos". Now we work together to oppose that. "We worked with you in the first days of your independence. You saved us twice in the last century and we are grateful. On June 6th we celebrate the Americans" "You wanted a free France then. A free people have the right to their own opinion though. And we feel it is fair to disagree from time to time."
He then opened the floor to questions. The first was on Iran. He said that the biggest issues facing the French internationally are Terrorism and the prolifieration of "Arms of Mass Destruction". We agree on the issue of North Korea and Iran. Inspections must take place. Chriac and Bush talked about this in NY when they spoke at the UN. The only, slight difference in policy is that France believes that Iran should have the right to create Nuclear energy for itself. However, there needs to be a strict firewall between military and civilian uses for it. Furthermore it is "Very important to maintain the integrity of this tool <the IAEA and UN Weapons inspectors> because we may need them in North Korea and Iran" He then talked about how US actions of late have undermined these organizations.
He answered several more questions on a European Rapid Reaction Force and on the Stability Principle and the Deficits of Germany and France. before finishing up
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