Gaddafi, France's cumbersome guest

"The diplomatic shake-up to which Sarkozy has subjected the moral integrity of his intellectual supporters in the name of his catchword 'rupture' has reached new heights with Gaddafi's five-day visit," Joseph Hanimann writes. "Intellectuals like [André] Glucksmann were used to a meek or at worst condescending reaction from politicians to their protests. The defiance and smugness with which Sarkozy and his team follow through their decisions are disrupting the traditional behaviour patterns of intellectuals. Hence, the strongest protests against the Libyan's official visit came not from the intellectuals but from government circles. The frank words of Secretary of State for Human Rights Rama Yade, who said that France was no doormat for dictators to wipe their dirty shoes on, are circulating like a magic formula among the opponents of the visit."

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