Sarkozy on NATO and war with Iran

A good interview with Sarkozy here, in the International Herald Tribune this morning. I still enjoy the energy that Sarko seems to be exuding, though this interview seems to be peeling away at the glossy media veneer to suggest that things may not be so smooth in reality.

In terms of content, Sarkozy brings up, and directly contradicts, the comments of Bernard Kouchner (the French foreign minister) with regard to war with Iran:

France's position, he explained, is clear: "No nuclear weapon for Iran, an arsenal of sanctions to convince them, negotiations, discussions, firmness. And I don't want to hear anything else that would not contribute usefully to the discussion today."

This seems to be a recurring tendency with Sarkozy - he seems intent on maintaining his control over his ministers, even to the point of stepping in to correct them, or to steal their thunder (as with the culture minister).

Also, on NATO:

In the interview, Sarkozy announced for the first time two conditions that would have to be met beforehand: American acceptance of an independent European military capability and a leading French role in NATO's command structures "at the highest level."


The article seems to have a vaguely derisive tone, focusing on his restlessness and apparent physical discomfort:

Visibly restless, at times brusque, he greeted his guests with stiff handshakes and unadorned "Bonjours." Perpetually in motion, he rocked uncomfortably in a green brocade armchair and gripped the backs of the gilt chairs on either side of him. His jaw muscles twitched. His gait was awkward. He cut off his interviewers in mid-sentence.

and perhaps ridiculing his appreciation of media attention:

The brusque demeanor and nonstop movement during the interview vanished during a brief photo session afterward in his office. At one point, he posed for a photograph with his two female interviewers, gripping his arms around their shoulders. "I have a good job," he said.

and his strong affection for the US:

Accused of being too enamored of all things American, he put France and the United States on an equal footing and as somehow better than many others, because they believe that their values are universal and therefore destined to "radiate" throughout the world. The Germans, the Spaniards, the Italians, the Chinese, by contrast, do not think that way, he said.

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Sarkozy Part II: the first strike

As an update to today's earlier post, I mentioned that the real test of Sarkozy's rhetoric would come with a showdown with the unions. And of course, here is the first strike announcment, from the IHT.

"President Nicolas Sarkozy will face his first strike after five of the eight railroad unions in France called for a day of protests on Oct. 18, vowing to defend their members' right to retire at age 50."

Interestingly enough, the article notes that

"[t]he unions, however, seem to have been shaken by Sarkozy's determination. Unlike the situation in 1995 and 2003, public opinion is firmly opposed to public sector pension privileges."

October will be interesting.

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Sarko's New French Revolution - Can He Deliver?

Roger Cohen from the NY times published this op-ed piece detailing the comprehensive list of French 'taboos' that the new French president, Nicolas Sarkozy, has been smashing.
From talk of France rejoining NATO to embracing Anglo-Saxon economics and 'working to get rich', it all seems to be bursting at the seams with potential for truly sweeping reforms.
Sure. It's all very nice, but what chance does Sarkozy actually have when the wave of reform comes crashing against the very firm walls of establishment France - the unions for example. I'd love to have more faith in this - I'll believe the talk when its converted into results...

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