Theatrical rebuffs from Iran during negotiations on uranium enrichment, diplomatic tensions with Israeli authorities concerning the French Foreign Minister’s visit to Palestine in Gaza, postponement of his visit to Damascus while on a trip to Lebanon, persistent difficulties for Paris in convincing the pro-Syrian Lebanese opposition to agree to form a government, French diplomacy currently seems to be facing multiple resistances. All these “difficulties” raise a question: Is Barack Obama’s foreign policy overshadowing French diplomacy? Have the signals sent to the world by America put Paris in an uncomfortable position? Nicolas Sarkozy has apparently already drawn consequences by distancing himself from Washington on several issues.
Firstly, on Iran, despite reassuring communications about “telephone talks” between the American and French presidents, the tone adopted by the Elysée following the Iranian presidential election results has been markedly more radical, offering a striking contrast with the neutrality or even the relentless conciliation sought by the White House. By pretending there was a dispute with Paris over nuclear issues dating back to the early years of the Islamic revolution, Iran attempted—unsuccessfully—a purely delaying tactic to exclude France from the Geneva discussions. The Iranians’ insistence on additionally designating Moscow as the “main contractor” in the potential implementation of an agreement speaks volumes about Tehran’s willingness to make Nicolas Sarkozy pay for his—legitimate—verbal support alongside the leaders of the “Green Revolution.”
The postponement of Bernard Kouchner’s visit to Syria while on a trip to Lebanon will it open Paris’s eyes to the very poor manners reserved by Bashar El Assad for one who has been, since his arrival at the Elysée, his best asset on the international stage? The recent arrest of the Syrian dissident and human rights activist Haissam Maleh, Damascus’ refusal to sign, despite—or because of?—French eagerness with the Swedish presidency, the association agreement with the European Union stalled since 2004 for reasons linked to this country’s human rights violations, and finally, the repeated—and shrewdly measured—obstacles by the great Syrian neighbor in the formation process of the Lebanese government, poorly reward—a litote—the considerable efforts of France. Moreover, France is preparing to welcome the Alawite leader next November. As we know, Syria swears only by Washington and never hesitates to manipulate other medium powers to gain all the American attention in return. Again, a stark divergence between the United States, who have remained cautious—and realistic—about this country, and France, gratified with the role, if one dares say, of an advocate pleading the cause of a repeat offender. A plea even more delicate in light of the bloody Baghdad attacks, for which the authorities accuse Syria of harboring those responsible.
Probably temporary, the tensions with Israel are nonetheless enigmatic: the French abstention during the vote on the Goldstone report at the UN Human Rights Council—a body largely criticized for its partiality—then the joint letter with the British Prime Minister, with a tone deemed peremptory by the Israeli state, justify even less this rift, as official Israeli sources speak of the “legitimate aspects of the request to create an independent commission.” While reproaching Paris for “doing things without considering the other’s point of view.” Indeed, unlike France, the United States officially reject any dialogue with Hamas and Hezbollah. In Lebanon, the American Ambassador, as explained locally, is reportedly pressuring Saad Hariri to convince him to reduce the number and importance of ministerial portfolios likely to be offered to the Shiite militia.
Could the unexpected developments in the Iranian dossier constitute a discreet bone of contention between the two sides of the Atlantic? The question might arise after the surprising account of the Cairo meeting on nuclear energy on September 29 and 30: “when the Israeli delegation entered the meeting room, the Iranian one stayed,” notes are quite surprised, on the Israeli side, before specifying: “This is not yet direct contact.” But it certainly resembles one.
