France: Nicolas Sarkozy Mends Fences With The Left

(Bernard Kouchner)

I love France. Not just Paris, or its old beautiful part the ÃŽle de la Cité, but the Pyrenees…the cheese, the salads and the wine. And, yes, the top politicians too whose public personae is remarkably dignified, sophisticated and cultured.

I was delighted when seven years ago the Embassy of France in New Delhi made me a Life Member of their cultural centre Aliance Francaise de India.

So I was not surprised when I read today’s news item that France’s President-elect, Monsieur Nicolas Sarkozy, has decided to offer the high-profile post of Foreign Minister to the popular Socialist politician, Bernard Kouchner.

While some high-profile leaders in the world develop a specialisation in dividing their nations, France somehow manages to seek unity among conflicting interests in running the country.

France witnessed violent protests following Sarkozy’s victory over Ségolène Royal in the well contested French presidential elections recently.

But now with Sarkozy deciding to offer Foreign Minister’s post to Bernard Kouchner, a diplomat, a doctor, and co-founder of Médecins du Monde (Doctors Without Borders), the left-inspired violence is likely to ebb soon.

Kouchner, born to a Jewish father and a Protestant mother, is a world renowned human rights activist. To read his profile please click here…

To read the story “Sarkozy chooses Socialist as Foreign Minister” please click here…