NOT AN ALLY FILES:

Fistful of troubles for Chirac (JONATHAN FENBY, 7/31/04, The Japan Times)

Ever since French President Charles de Gaulle vetoed Britain's entry into the European Common Market and took his country out of the integrated military structure of the NATO alliance, France has had a reputation as a country that knows how to say "no" -- a reputation greatly bolstered by President Jacques Chirac's opposition to the war in Iraq.

That stance earned Paris plaudits from other governments that opposed the American-led invasion notably its neighbor and close partner, Germany. But now there are signs that Chirac risks painting himself into an isolated corner, both abroad and at home. That could have important consequences for Europe and the wider international community given France's global role if it results in a weakened presidency for the next three years.

Underlying Chirac's foreign policy is his desire to establish a group of nations that will counterbalance American power, with France at their head in a re-creation of de Gaulle's dream of giving his nation a major global role by positioning it between the great power blocs in the 1960s.

Chirac's problem is that, while such a grouping may come into being on specific issues -- such as Iraq or the Kyoto Protocol -- it lacks longer-term consistency or form as governments take different views on other matters. Countries like China or Russia may find France a useful partner in some areas, but are not going to accept the leadership of Paris in international affairs, or in their dealings with Washington.

Meetings at G-8 summits and during the anniversary celebrations of the 1944 D-Day landings in Normandy this summer have done nothing to ease the tension between Paris and Washington over Iraq. Chirac, who pushed the sale of French nuclear-power technology to Baghdad when he was prime minister in the mid-1970s, has opposed NATO troops playing a role, and has taken a tough position on writing off Iraqi debts incurred under ousted President Saddam Hussein.

This month, he broadened out his opposition to America by attacking Washington's policy on combating HIV-AIDS as a form of protectionism for U.S. pharmaceutical companies. In the field of popular culture, France is taking a hard line to stop increased imports of Hollywood films and American music in order to protect its domestic artists. France is also a leading champion of Boeing rival Airbus.

However, America is not Chirac's only target.

If they weren't so craven they'd belong on the Axis of Evil.

Posted by Orrin Judd at July 30, 2004 7:57 PM