Fascinating interview in Le Monde with Bernard Kouchner, former socialist minister of health and founding member of Medecins Sans Frontieres. Here’s my translation of the last couple of questions and answers:
Le Monde: So France is in an impasse?
BK: Dead right we’re in an impasse. We’ve deepened the wound in Europe rather than healing it. We’ve enabled German pacifism, which was a mistake. We’ve brutalized the Eastern Europeans who have just emerged from dictatorship. That was a second mistake. And then we’ve opened up a serious split with the United States. That’s the charge I bring against the president of the Republic.
Le Monde: And your friends, the Socialists? You blame them too?
BK: You bet. France’s role, before all others, is to be concerned about human rights and to fight dictatorship.
Before we write off all of France, we should be aware that some of the French entirely understand the damage Chirac has done to himself, his country, and the security of the world.
AMERICA GOES TO SEA: Very smart piece in the Financial Times on America’s growing move away from land-based forces and toward maritime power. I wonder how much longer U.S. troops will remain in Germany.
