Divided we stand
[2008-7-22]
Tag : carrot powder
Sarkozy's proposals for the Union for the Mediterranean weregreeted with scepticism, even among senior French politicians.Jacques Attali, former adviser to Mitterrand, said the project isbased on an idealistic vision and lacks realism. It would be betterto focus first on turning the Mediterranean into a safe andpeaceful region, with some level of cooperation going on among itslittoral countries, before moving forward. Former French foreignminister Hubert Vedrine expressed similar views.
Most French politicians were pessimistic about the union. And yet43 heads of state and government showed up for the Paris summit,hoping at best for a perfunctory statement about peace andcooperation. In their talks, they praised the Arab Peace Initiativeand said that the region should be freed from all weapons of massdestruction -- a point Israel chose not to hear.
Sarkozy got the Syrian president to commit to moving towards directtalks with Israel once the ground has been prepared. The US agreedto take part in the negotiations. And Europe, led by France, seemedwilling to engage in mediation, but only once the current USadministration has left office.
The discussions in Paris were far from groundbreaking, except forone thing. Sarkozy managed to hold talks with the Syrians, Lebaneseand Qataris and then declared that Syria and Lebanon were willingto exchange ambassadors. If anyone has doubted Sarkozy's ability tomove things forward, this was a moment of truth.
Finally, the French president had something to show for histireless efforts. For years, Syria has refused to exchangeambassadors in Lebanon, turning down every Arab request to do so.Using stick and carrot tactics, France has succeeded where othershave failed. Sarkozy seems determined to keep up the momentum. Hepromised to help Syria emerge from its isolation and rehabilitateits international reputation. And he is planning to visit Damascusin September.
Sarkozy's proposals for the Union for the Mediterranean weregreeted with scepticism, even among senior French politicians.Jacques Attali, former adviser to Mitterrand, said the project isbased on an idealistic vision and lacks realism. It would be betterto focus first on turning the Mediterranean into a safe andpeaceful region, with some level of cooperation going on among itslittoral countries, before moving forward. Former French foreignminister Hubert Vedrine expressed similar views.
Most French politicians were pessimistic about the union. And yet43 heads of state and government showed up for the Paris summit,hoping at best for a perfunctory statement about peace andcooperation. In their talks, they praised the Arab Peace Initiativeand said that the region should be freed from all weapons of massdestruction -- a point Israel chose not to hear.
Sarkozy got the Syrian president to commit to moving towards directtalks with Israel once the ground has been prepared. The US agreedto take part in the negotiations. And Europe, led by France, seemedwilling to engage in mediation, but only once the current USadministration has left office.
The discussions in Paris were far from groundbreaking, except forone thing. Sarkozy managed to hold talks with the Syrians, Lebaneseand Qataris and then declared that Syria and Lebanon were willingto exchange ambassadors. If anyone has doubted Sarkozy's ability tomove things forward, this was a moment of truth.
Finally, the French president had something to show for histireless efforts. For years, Syria has refused to exchangeambassadors in Lebanon, turning down every Arab request to do so.Using stick and carrot tactics, France has succeeded where othershave failed. Sarkozy seems determined to keep up the momentum. Hepromised to help Syria emerge from its isolation and rehabilitateits international reputation. And he is planning to visit Damascusin September.
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