Pave: Afghan Window Dressing XII

Le jour 284 de Sarko

Every great nation aspires to great things. The less-than-great nation aspires to stylish photo ops and a shoebox of press clippings.

FRANCE PONDERS GRAND ENGAGEMENT
IN AFGHANISTAN, EXPERTS SAY

PARIS February 22, 2008 (CNS) - Canada's search here for a military partner in Afghanistan will have to contend with France's historic quest to display grandeur, or greatness, on the world stage.

President Nicolas Sarkozy, who spoke of his "taste" for French greatness Friday in a speech to launch a museum devoted to famed grandeur adherent Charles de Gaulle, is expected to announce France's plans in April to assume a more muscular role in Afghanistan.

... The French media, which have barely mentioned Canada's aggressive push for French aid in Afghanistan, have reported that Sarkozy is weighing four options. Only one involves putting more troops in Kandahar, even though Prime Minister Stephen Harper has threatened to withdraw Canada's 2,500 soldiers if NATO doesn't come up with 1,000 more troops to help fight the Taliban there.

Charles Hauss, author of the 2007 book Politics in France, said that, if France helps Canada, it would only be incidental to a grander strategy. Mr. Hauss:

I think that (Canada's diplomatic effort) is like a sub-, sub-, subplot. This is almost purely a France thing, and Sarkozy trying to work better with the U.S. If he happens to help Canada in the process, that would be good, but it's not the objective.

If France wants to burnish the old grandeur, she might consider doing a few small things sincerely and well. Not concocting some grand clumsy gesture that accomplishes little-to-nothing of what is needed.

PFFT (What is this?): France ready to strike a pose 3½ | Rayonnement français ¼