According to diplomatic correspondent Natalie Nougayrede of France’s Le Monde newspaper, President Barack Obama isn’t the only NATO leader going through contortions over Afghanistan.
And in the case of President Nicolas Sarkozy of France there is a paradox: “after exhibiting the most spectacular gestures toward the United States at the end of the Bush era, he seemed to lose enthusiasm after the arrival of Mr. Obama.”
For Le Monde, Natalie Nougayrede goes on to write in part:
“Neither a retreat nor a reinforcement of French troops. Without fanfare for the past month, such has been the position assumed by Nicolas Sarkozy, despite American requests from their close ally.
“Afghanistan has ultimately placed the first president of the Fifth Republic never to have had a personal experience of war – Mr. Sarkozy – in a difficult position. Whereas Mr. Obama revealed his strategy of troop reinforcement at West Point on December 1, France, by its refusal to commit more troops to battle, appears a reticent and dubious ally. Is the ‘neither-nor’ of the French tenable while Paris officially applauds the American ‘surge’?
“In 2008, the increase of the French contingent was appreciated by Mr. Bush, who could then move a thousand American soldiers to the south to reinforce the Canadians who were threatening to leave. Against the backdrop of Franco-American ‘reconciliation,’ it was thought that Paris had preserved the unity of the coalition, according to the principal, “we entered together and we’ll leave together.” Mr. Sarkozy is now looking for the right moment to get out. At a far lower expense.”
By Natalie Nougayrède
Translated By Lisa Cabral
December 3, 20009
France – Le Monde – Original Article (French)
Neither a retreat nor a reinforcement of French troops. Without fanfare for the past month, such has been the position assumed by Nicolas Sarkozy, despite American requests from their close ally. In May aboard the presidential aircraft en route to the emirate of Abu Dhabi where he would inaugurate a military base to face down Iran, Mr. Sarkozy decided the debate, having been counseled about a restrained defense. At the time we reported that according to a source in the Élysée Palace [French White House], there could be a few adjustments but the effort on the ground would remain “in effect, constant during 2009.”
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