Bien Joue! Formidable! Newly Elected Sarkozy Blasts Russia!
Filed under: France ~ Russia
Interviewed recently in the National Interest, French president-elect Nicolas Sarkozy delivered a withering blast at Russia, clearly indicating there is a strong new anti-Russian axis forming between Germany and France, both decked out with great new leadership on the Russian question. He also referred to America's friendship with Europe as the "cornerstone" of world security. So much for the notion that Sarkozy is not a new kind of leader for France. Vive Sarkozy! Vive La France!
Here are the key extracts:
The National Interest: You have often mentioned your attachment to human rights. However, it might be said that good diplomats do not follow those dictums.
Nicolas Sarkozy: History proves the contrary. Nation-states are no longer the sole actors on the international stage. New powers and new themes have emerged. My problem with realpolitik is that it limits diplomatic action in an effort to leave unchanged the reality of the world. "Stability" and status quo are their obsessions. But the pursuit of status quo is not a policy; it is akin to giving up. Stability for stability's sake is not how I conceive the world. The steadfast adherence to stability leads to turning a blind eye to cruelty and injustice. I add that today, all action is done under the informed and vigilant gaze of public opinion, both national and international. We cannot claim ignorance anymore, so we are loosing the possibility of remaining silent in the face of genocide or criminal behavior. Our silence, when faced with 200,000 deaths and 400,000 refugees in Chechnya, is unbearable. Neither is our indifference when faced with 200,000 deaths due to ethnic massacres in Darfur. There is an urgency to act so that Darfur does not become a shameful page in our collective history.
TNI: Is it more difficult to speak out against the major powers like China and Russia?
NS: No. Simply because China and Russia are great powers should not prevent us from denouncing their human rights violations. In the same vein, I must say that Russia's recent behavior makes me quite nervous.
TNI: You have been criticized for being too close to the administration of George W. Bush. What is your response to your detractors?
NS: I think this is unconstructive criticism. The friendship between Europe and the United States is a cornerstone of world stability, period. It is deep, sincere and unshakeable. But friendship means being with your friends when they need you and also being able to tell them the truth when they are wrong. Friendship means respect, understanding and affection . . . but not submission. Friendship is only real when it is honest and independent. I want an independent France and an independent Europe, and I call for our American friends to let us be free; free to be their friends.
del.icio.us | 
digg | 
technorati | 
stumble upon | 
furl | 
reddit