THANKS AGAIN, FDR:

Why They Cry 'Non!': Greed, pride and desire to show up the U.S. inspire France's policies on Iraq (Max Boot, January 23 2003, LA Times)

Of all Bush administration officials, Colin Powell is the one held in highest esteem in Europe. It's not hard to see why.

Just like the Europeans, he doesn't want the United States to disarm Saddam Hussein without the backing of the United Nations. The secretary of State even managed to convince President Bush to seek U.N. support back in August.

Thereafter he spent two months heroically haggling -- mainly with French Foreign Minister Dominique de Villepin -- over the text of a resolution that would win the assent of the entire Security Council.

So how does De Villepin repay his negotiating partner? With a kick in the teeth. [...]

So why is France pressing for endless U.N. palaver in the case of Iraq? Its first motive is crassly commercial: France has about $1.5 billion in contracts with the current Iraqi government and doesn't want it overthrown for fear that a more democratic regime might take its business elsewhere. Its second motive is essentially wounded national pride. France, a noted poet recently wrote, "used to have the ability to inspire princes and kings" but now "comes the time when no one listens to her anymore and the universe turns without her, except when it judges her with spite or commiseration." This writer suggested that the solution was for France to adopt "a humble and global approach." [...]

It is hard to see anything humble about De Villepin's grandstanding Monday, but it was certainly "global": France is taking advantage of Franklin Roosevelt's dispensation -- a permanent seat on the U.N. Security Council -- to maximize its influence at the expense of the "hyperpower."

The bad news for Paris is that it can get away with this game only as long as Washington lets it. After Monday, even Powell's patience may wear thin.

Few nations have greater cause for humility than France. Posted by Orrin Judd at January 28, 2003 9:39 AM