10 June 2004 Blog Home : June 2004 : Permalink
It's easy to pick on the French, and since I live in France it seems rather petty to do so too frequently, but every now and then I get so irritated by the antics of M. Chirac that I feel I must comment.
One thing that has always puzzled me when I look at France's behaviour as a country is why it seems familiar and then a couple of days ago it clicked. France behaves to other countries just the way the unsuitable girl (or boy if you're that way inclined) does that you fall in love with despite all the dire warnings of your parents
France has all the glitz, glamour, sex-appeal and sophistication you want to see. Admired by all you think that getting France as a lover is a sign that you're mature, grown up and sophisticated yourself.
But just like the lover you were warned about you discover France applies different standards to others than the ones she wants others to apply to her. You obey international treaties and consult your allies. Me, I'm going to break international treaties (e.g. the Euro stability pact) and intervene unilateraly in foreign countries (Cóte d'Ivroie) without any advance approval at all.
Then there's the persistent infidelity. Sure the West must remain united on countering tyranny but I've got to do some deals with a load of tyrants. But trust me, really I'm all in favour of diplomacy.
How about the embarassing gifts from mysterious sources -- no really I've no idea where that Billion dollars came from.
And of course there's jealousy -- as soon as France is no longer the center of attention (rememebr French used to be the language of diplomacy) it gets al put out and starts forming cliques and whispering about perceived rivals such as those unfortunate Eastern Europeans
God forbid that France should actually follow through on something they promise. One day its "Sure we'll keep the peace in Rwanda" the next its "Help help the nasty people are doing nasty things, please big strong lover fix it for me!"
Yup
sounds really familiar! but did I miss a trick? do comment below