Kid gloves and Iran
French President Jacque Chirac has announced his support for lessening pressure on Iran to stop its nuclear program, for fear Hezbollah will strike at French troops serving in Lebanon, according to information recently received in Jerusalem. According to reports, Chirac proposed sending a special envoy to Tehran to reach understandings that would protect the French soldiers serving in in the United Nations Interim Forces in Lebanon (UNIFIL).
Chirac told reporters at the end of January that it would not be terrible if Iran had a nuclear bomb or two, but quickly reversed himself following protests from officials at home. Israeli experts said that the link Chirac is making between French presence in Lebanon and the closing down of Iran's nuclear program shows the shortcomings of UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which ended the second Lebanon war. According to one expert, Israel "begged the French to send soldiers to Lebanon" and end up paying for it by damaging its strategic interests. Israel is conducting an intensive international diplomatic effort to increase sanctions on Iran, in an attempt to put a stop to its nuclear program.
Chirac's stance is in sharp contrast to right wing minister of the Interior Nicolas Sarkozy:
The courtroom could not hold the crowd. People spilled on to the marble landing and stairs of the Palais de Justice.
A year ago satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo printed the incendiary Danish cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad. Another one it published showed the Prophet weeping at the outrages of fundamentalists in his name and crying: "It's tough being loved by idiots!" Three Muslim organisations sued Charlie Hebdo for "injury caused by religious slander". In court their supporters were outnumbered by free speech defenders, who were so noisy that judges in nearby courts had to pause their proceedings. But when Charlie Hebdo lawyer Georges Kiejman stood to announce that he had just been handed an important letter to his client, the room fell silent.
"I want to give my clear support to your newspaper which, in its own style, expresses an old French tradition — that of satire, derision and disobedience," Mr Kiejman read.
"I can well understand," the letter continued, "that certain drawings can clash with the religious convictions of our Muslim citizens." However, "I prefer an excess of caricature to its absence."
"The letter is signed," said Mr Kiejman with a theatrical pause — "Nicolas Sarkozy." The crowd erupted into laughter and applause.
Two ideologies at work in France. One of appeasement, another of defiance.
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