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Letter From Paris

Sarko’s War

By on 3.21.11 @ 6:09AM

France’s little big man gets his away on Libya to revive his shaky presidency.

PARIS — You’ve got to hand it to France’s little big man, he has a way of getting what he wants. Whether it be the presidency of his country, a trophy wife, or generally punching above France’s weight in international affairs, Nicolas Sarkozy pushes, inveigles, argues and seduces until others let him have his way, if only to be quit of him. This time he wanted to lead a George Bush-style coalition of the willing into war with an Arab dictator. On Saturday he got that too.

It was the first good week Sarkozy has had on the world scene in a long time. For months he watched as the Arab Spring spread across North Africa and the Middle East with tacit American encouragement but no French involvement. When it began in Tunisia, right in France’s ex-colonial backyard, Sarkozy wasn’t paying attention and his administration was caught wrong-footed: his foreign minister, Michèle Alliot-Marie, embarrassingly offered France’s know-how in riot control to Tunisia’s corrupt President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali. Then he was silent as the U.S. deftly pressured Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak to step down and allow social and political reform. As the democratic virus infected countries like Bahrain and Yemen, France’s diplomacy was absent.

At home, too, Sarkozy was faltering. With the next presidential election just a year away, his numbers in the 20s made him the most unpopular president in the history of the Fifth Republic. Poll after poll showed him losing to Dominique Strauss-Kahn, the socialist leader whom he had exiled to Washington as head of the International Monetary Fund in 2007, thinking to get him off the French political scene. Worse, surprising surveys had him beaten next year by Marine Le Pen, the articulate, charismatic new leader of the right-wing National Front.

Then Libya caught his eye. Here were romantic bands of ragtag rebels rising up against one of the world’s more obnoxious dictators. Just across the Mediterranean. With the U.S. bogged down in Afghanistan and unlikely to make a big move into what would be its third conflict with a Muslim country in less than a decade. Who wouldn’t want to side with him in a humanitarian crusade against the despot?

Perhaps on the advice of Carla Bruni, his conduit to the intellectual and art world, Sarkozy sought counsel from Bernard-Henri Lévy. A dashing penseur-poseur-showman who likes to be photographed with his shirt largely unbuttoned, Lévy advised him to officially recognize the rebels’ National Transition Council as a first step. This he did on March 10, receiving its members with full honors at the Elysée Palace. The Libyan “revolution” could only be carried out by Libyans themselves, he said then. He added, significantly, that in any case there should be no NATO-led operation against Muammar Gaddafi.

Next he maneuvered the United Nations Security Council to a vote on the loaded question of whether to protect Libyan widows and orphans. With his energetic new foreign minister Alain Juppé doing behind-the-scenes arm-twisting and special pleading, the Council voted the deliberately vague Resolution 1973 “to protect civilians and civilian populated areas under threat of attack.” No mention of regime change. Or of the fact that the “civilians” were armed rebels attempting to overthrow the Libyan government. Of the European members on the Council, only Germany refused to go along with Sarkozy’s war, abstaining in the vote. (Chancellor Angela Merkel is the only European Union leader who habitually stands up to him and resists his pushy ways.)

However distasteful Gaddafi might be (Ronald Reagan memorably called him the “mad dog of the Middle East”), however much we would like to see him gone, the Supreme Guide of the Libyan Revolution has been recognized for some 40 years as the legitimate power in the country. Western leaders also tended to view him as an ally against Al Qaeda.

Just three years ago, Sarkozy grandly welcomed him and his 400-person entourage — including 30 gaudily uniformed female bodyguards — to Paris for a full-pomp, five-day, red-carpet state visit. “Gaddafi is not perceived as a dictator in the Arab world,” Sarkozy explained at the time, adding as further justification, “He is the longest-serving head of state in the region.” To the considerable discomfiture of many Parisians, he allowed Gaddafi to pitch his Bedouin tent in the elegant gardens of an official guest residence near the Elysée Palace. The visit concluded with contracts with Gaddafi for some $4.25 billion worth of Airbus airliners, fighter jets, air defense systems, and nuclear technology to power a desalination plant.

That was then. Last week Sarkozy organized his next ploy, an international summit in Paris on Saturday to implement the UN resolution. The meeting was nothing but window dressing. Its main event was the lining up of world leaders around Sarkozy on the steps of the Elysée for a group photo. “France has decided to play its part in history,” he summed up with all false modesty. “The Libyan people need our aid and support. It’s our duty.” British Prime Minister David Cameron mumbled something about having to enforce “the will of the United Nations.” Hillary Clinton backed away as far as she decently could, insisting, “We did not lead this. We did not engage in unilateral actions in any way.”

Hours after the photo op, French fighter jets were heading for Libya, getting the jump on the U.S. and other coalition members. Much of France went into a paroxysm of national pride as television screens showed French fighter pilots gearing up, donning helmets, fingering their service pistols, and heading out to the hangars where their planes were waiting. As one commentator put it, buttons fairly popping off his shirt front, “The Americans were ahead of us in dealing with the revolution in Egypt, but this time we’re taking the initiative. We’re clearly the leaders against Libya.” Much was made of French planes striking first, while British and Americans merely brought up the rear.

Notably absent was any mention of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. Usually the official subcontractor to the UN for military and peacekeeping operations, NATO was deliberately bypassed by Sarkozy. “NATO can act as an enabler and coordinator if and when member states take action,” Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen offered. But Sarkozy calculated that letting NATO take charge would put him in the shade.

Instead, this operation is, in his mind, a triumvirate composed of France, Britain and the U.S. — in that order. As the Quai d’Orsay put it, for once eschewing diplomatic doubletalk, “We do not want NATO involved. We do not think it would be the right signal to send that NATO as such intervenes in an Arab nation.” Neither the U.S. nor any other Western nation publicly objected. The Alliance, in search of a new mission ever since the Soviet Union and its Warsaw Pact disappeared two decades ago, thus became just that much more irrelevant.

As for Nicolas Sarkozy, he is playing a high-stakes game in the hope of restoring some luster to his fading presidency and getting his sputtering election campaign off the ground. “If it works out well, it will be a triumph for him,” says a hopeful aide. “He was on the ropes, and suddenly he has the whole world following his lead.”

  

About the Author

Joseph A. Harriss is The American Spectator’s Paris correspondent. His latest book, An American Spectator in Paris, was released this fall.

Letter to the Editor View all comments (49) |

Mimi| 3.21.11 @ 7:17AM

You got to give him credit at least FRANCE...chose!

Alan Brooks| 3.21.11 @ 8:54AM

When a dick-tater calls his people mice, rats and cockroaches, what do you expect Sarkozy to do?
Good for him.

Give a big crowd of Libyans a knife each and have them cut Gaddafi into small pieces- feed the pieces to hyenas.

Oldefarte| 3.21.11 @ 11:00AM

What, Libyans are not VARMINTS [as is Jefferson Davis and all Southerners, in your demented mind]? Maybe Western countries should just sit back allow Gidaffi and other dictators to slaughter their citizens [similar to the Yankees' burning of Atlanta]? Maybe our political leaders should bring home all of our military troops [the ranks of which contain many, many SOUTHERN VERMINTS and DECENDENTS OF JEFFERSON DAVIS AND THE CSA], and thereafter turn their backs upon the middle eastern Arab countries to surround/takeover Israel? Maybe taxpayers should demand that this country should completely eliminate any/all foreign/military aid to Israel also, and therefore allow them to economically exist on their own without America's financial assistance? Maybe MORONS should shut their ignorant pie-holes also, huh?????????

Alan Brooks| 3.21.11 @ 11:39AM

"as is Jefferson Davis and all Southerners, in your demented mind"

I said Jefferson Davis was a varmint, and the Confederacy was a stillbirth, NOT the South as a whole. Read the comments again AFTER you take your ritalin and other meds for senescence.

Oldefarte| 3.21.11 @ 5:04PM

My great great grandfather served under Davis in CSA [and is buried in Biloxi], you ARSEWIPE! How would you feel if someone made snide/asinine remarks concerning Jews [or possibly questioned their right to occupy Israel]???????????????

JP| 3.21.11 @ 7:34AM

Drudge put it best: this is a woman's war. Hillary and her female cohorts at State and the NSC pushed a reluctant President into this operation. It could be the first female directed operation since Catherine the Great partitioned Poland.

Melvin| 3.21.11 @ 8:01AM

Good point JP, but if this all goes South, guess who will get the blame? "It's those stupid men's fault, it's always they're fault."
I would be hard to put up a valid argument in the defense of the males case, since after all we are talking about Barry.
Little Barry, doesn't give us much to work with does he? I wonder in Cathrine the Great had the National Organization for Women back then?
This is all in regards to Hillary Clinton's generation. Yes indeed, Madame Sec. of State has finally found her place at the great White House round table.

JimH| 3.21.11 @ 8:06AM

Maybe my brains a bit fuzzy this early in the morning. Maybe one of our contributing historians can say if Golda Meir or Indira Ghandi had any fighting under their watch.

Melvin| 3.21.11 @ 9:09AM

Goldy was a tough monkey all right, and she was right where she was supposed to be at Israel's moment of crisis. She didn't waiver one inch against the Arabs.
But Hillary Clinton is no Golda Meir, even on her good days.
Thanks for reminding, I completely had forgotten about Golda. I wonder what ever happened to Morris?

JP| 3.21.11 @ 10:41AM

Gold Meir fought a defensive war in 1973. But you may be correct about Ghandi. Didn't she kick the Pakistanis out of Bangladesh in 1971 (formerly known as East Pakistan)?

Mitch Angoop| 3.21.11 @ 7:37AM

While this is only peripherally connected to the French President, it is vitally important that you all see the video at this link: http://www.youtube.com/embed/A3YQANdvvbY
It clearly shows what is happening in France, and is on the way to America.

Stephanie| 3.21.11 @ 8:22AM

Is this being alluded to so barry can point his finger and say, "it was Hillary who did it" when his adoring public turn against him for jumping into another miltary situation?
"He's a wonderful president. Slow and measured in his decision making" Of, effing gag me.

Louis Jenkins| 3.21.11 @ 8:38AM

Nothing like a no-fly zone in a country were the rebels can shoot down a Mig 21. If France wants to spear head the whole thing let them. And though the world may be watching France, it is France that will have the final say in Sarkozy's tenure.

donserge| 3.21.11 @ 9:23AM

Since we get very little, if any, oil from Libya how much does France or, for that matter England get? Is it not most of it?

Michael L. Hauschild| 3.21.11 @ 10:15AM

We have got to have a caption contest for the header photo.

Stephanie| 3.21.11 @ 12:01PM

Hillary: "...and without the glove on, does it feel better?"

Sarko: "oui oui!"

Puddy Tat| 3.21.11 @ 1:22PM

Hitlery: "You're face is so damn funny looking I can't keep from laughing!"

Snarkoszy: "I know. I can't blame you!"

Tim the Enchanter| 3.21.11 @ 1:31PM

I was just thinking the same thing- that picture needs a caption! How about: "We have found a witch; may we burn her?"

LiveFreeOrDie| 3.21.11 @ 3:31PM

Hil: "I wish you were a woman, I'd be all over you!"

Sark: "Ditto."

Neo-libertarian| 3.21.11 @ 3:41PM

Translator: I am here to announce today that a coalition of French and American scientists have finally created a medication capable of treating the horrible affliction of Clintonous Herpetus that has ravaged the entire French Foreign Legion. The drug shows promise but is still in the testing stage as scientists try to refine the disconcerting side effect of a shit eating grin while patients undergo treatment.

DaPicayune| 3.21.11 @ 3:43PM

Yea, Nic, I got my Botox from Pelosi's Doc, but at least I can still show pearly whites when I smile, and I don't have all those forehead wrinkles that your wife's Doc left you with! N'est Pas?

Tony in Central PA| 3.21.11 @ 9:10PM

" Madam Secretary, you're goiter, she is looking smaller ".

Bill Hussein O'Stalin| 3.21.11 @ 10:35AM

This may appear trivial, but why doesn't the press question whether this could have been avoided with a beer summit with Qaddafi?

Obama and his beer could have saved us 122 million (122 missiles at 1 million a pop) and the accusations from Ralph Nader that Obama is a war criminal.

Apparently, Obama's inconsistent strategies of handling these different type of crises appeal to the state run media since the state run media is full of incompetent morons who simply end up chasing their own tails at every opportunity.

In the meantime, this is allegedly a female inspired event. I guess that blows the theory that woman are more able to communicate more effectively in these situations since anyone could have come up with this stupid plan. And oh yes, it's very stupid.

That also indicates it's a liberal plan.

JP| 3.21.11 @ 10:42AM

We could partition Lybia and call it the Progressive Republic of Barry. But I think the Jihadists have other ideas.

Oldefarte| 3.21.11 @ 11:06AM

Let Sarko/France take the diplomatic/military lead and KEEP IT [for once]. Hopefully, they won't turn tail and run at the first sign of Gidaffi returning fire, but without croissants and boudoire for an extended period of time, who knows? Why in hades should we back France or any other country up after they abondoned our efforts in the middle east on numerous occasions [not to mention their courageous efforts in WWII]. Yeah, let em have it [and keep it]....as Powell said, IF YOU BREAK IT, YOU OWN IT!!!!!!!!!

Alan Brooks| 3.21.11 @ 11:08AM

"as is Jefferson Davis"

Yes, I said Jefferson Davis was a varmint, and the Confederacy was a stillbirth, NOT the South as a whole. if you weren't senile, oldfarte, you would have read those words correctly.

Stephanie| 3.21.11 @ 11:57AM

Brooks, for chrissake, can't you just shut the fuck up and remain silent in your corner of this site where we may even tolerate your sorry excuse for a physical presence?

Alan Brooks| 3.21.11 @ 12:11PM

um, Stephanie, cyberspace is in no way a physical presence- that is the whole point of it! Sheesh.

Oldefarte| 3.21.11 @ 5:06PM

Maybe we should all resurrect Jackson's HYMIE TOWN comments perhaps, how would that suit you, MORON??????????

Pete| 3.21.11 @ 11:20AM

"he is playing a high-stakes game in the hope of restoring some luster to his fading presidency and getting his sputtering election campaign off the ground." - Talking about Sarko or Osama?

The Big E| 3.21.11 @ 11:48AM

"The visit concluded with contracts with Gaddafi for some $4.25 billion worth of Airbus airliners, fighter jets, air defense systems, and nuclear technology to power a desalination plant."

So, in 2008 (before the crash? Maybe?) Sarkozy brings Gadaffi to Paris, wines and dines him, and coaxes him into purchasing a 4.25 billion dollars of expensive, high tech French. civilian and military technology. Then, once the stuff is delivered (or at least part of it, I'm assuming, but hey, its Monday), a rebellion flares up in Libya and he gets the Brits and the US to support him flying down there and destroying all the stuff he sold the Libyans three years earlier.

Whoever comes out on top in Libya - and make no mistake about it, it is VERY likely to be Gadaffi - will then need to take some oil money and purchase new civilian and military technology from someone to replace the French goods the French destroyed.

This isn't a war - it's France's economic policy.

Yosemeti Sam| 3.21.11 @ 12:10PM

Libya?

Um, message from BHO to the GOP - I can WAG THE DOG too!

US economy - what economy?

US national debt - what national debt?

Dustoff| 3.21.11 @ 12:32PM

Let's see. The last time France went to war, we ended up in Nam.

O-brother, here we go again.

O-bummer and JFK.... who would have thought?

Who Knows?| 3.21.11 @ 1:59PM

Ah, France!

Who is Sarkozy, as compared to any of that country’s elected leaders?

All I needed to remind me of the true political state of France was that Sarkozy has an approval rating in the 20’s.

And, that a SOCIALIST is favored to win the next election.

There exist more takers than makers in that country, and the disparity will only grow over time, n’est pas?

I still loved Leslie Caron, in “Fanny”, though.

Too Many Tims| 3.21.11 @ 2:19PM

Does anybody know if they got their aircraft carrier (Le Petit) out of dock for this show?

Melvin| 3.21.11 @ 2:55PM

With any luck the French will flood Libya with cheese and MoMo and his minions will get plugged up, from Le Scourge from above.

DaPicayune| 3.21.11 @ 4:28PM

Stay out of French Discos, until MG's got his 72 virgins, or his "Deal".

The UN resolution allows Nicolas/BOgus to protect "civilians", and if they don't find a way to remove MG permanently with a payoff, or a payload, they may end up having to protect French/US "citizens" from terrorists' surprise bombings, after the fact. It's what MG does, and he's now played the "citizen target" retaliation threat card! If he strikes Paris /or WDC, it's curtains for BO/Hil/Sarkozy's careers!

You don't play with a cobra.

anatolepushkin| 3.21.11 @ 8:08PM

Sarkozy is rhe most inept and colorless President France has ever produced. His counterparts in Italy and England are just the same as he is. This kind of people are dangerous. They must wage war vs. anything and anybody to resuscitate their career. They are in for a surprise. You cannot escape poetic justice. There will be poetic justice for these midgets of the Olrd World who treat Libya and other countries theky can bully as their personal possession.

anatolepushkin| 3.21.11 @ 8:10PM

Sarkozy is rhe most inept and colorless President France has ever produced. His counterparts in Italy and England are just the same as he is. This kind of people are dangerous. They must wage war vs. anything and anybody to resuscitate their career. They are in for a surprise. You cannot escape poetic justice. There will be poetic justice for these midgets of the Old World who treat Libya and other countries they can bully as their personal possession.

anatolepushkin| 3.21.11 @ 8:15PM

Why is Sarkozy so mad at Khaddafi? Did this Libyan nomad spurn his invitation for a menage a trois with his wife or did Khaddafi mesmerize his mistresses?

anatolepushkin| 3.21.11 @ 8:17PM

Sarkozy, Cameron, Berluscone and Hillary Clinton are the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse.

anatolepushkin| 3.21.11 @ 8:20PM

This is not our war. We should not get involved in this kind of desert rumble. We have no money. Russia, China, India and Brazil are not interested. They are the new emerging world superpowers.

anatolepushkin| 3.21.11 @ 8:20PM

This is not our war. We should not get involved in this kind of desert rumble. We have no money. Russia, China, India and Brazil are not interested. They are the new emerging world superpowers.

Tony in Central PA| 3.21.11 @ 9:03PM

Sarkozy's poll numbers jump and we pay the freight. President Lite strikes again !

WeMustResist| 3.22.11 @ 2:24AM

Every month since the early 80s the French government has spent more than it received in taxes. That is more than 30 years. The UK government has spent more than it received in taxes since 2001, and the US government has not had a cash surplus since 2000. All three governments are financing this operation by borrowing. How feckless! The US government is spending $171 for every $100 it receives in taxes. The missing $71 is borrowed. What is important for these governments? The welfare of their people? The independence and survival of their nations? No - the welfare of the Libyan people is much more important for these governments. Does this operation help anyone but the Libyans who hate Gaddafi? No. It does not reduce tensions or risks in Africa or Asia or Europe. It is a big expense by nations who cannot afford it for people who will never repay the kindness.

WeMustResist| 3.22.11 @ 3:10AM

Correction. In Fiscal Year 2011 the US government is spending $175.70 for every $100 it receives in taxes. The missing $75.70 is borrowed.

Christian Louboutin | 6.23.11 @ 6:11AM

It was the first good week Sarkozy has had on the world scene in a long time. For months he watched as the Arab Spring spread across North Africa and the Middle East with tacit American encouragement but no French involvement.

Creative Recreation | 8.10.11 @ 11:42PM

is good

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