euro|topics - Kouchner takes Europe by surprise

30/08/2008

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Main focus of Wednesday, September 19, 2007

Kouchner takes Europe by surprise

On Sunday, September 16th, Bernard Kouchner said on French television that it is necessary to be prepared "for the worst", even for "war", against Iran, if Teheran does not put an end to its Uranium enrichment activities. Although the French Minister of Foreign Affairs subsequently tempered his arguments, his declaration has provoked strong reactions across Europe.

L'Express - France

Christian Makarian is as taken aback by the harsh tone adopted by Bernard Kouchner as by France's new support for anti-Iran sanctions in banking, trade and industry, independently from the UN. "These 'additional sanctions' ... should ideally, according to Paris, be adopted by the whole of the European Union, i.e. by 27 governments. Thus far only the British, traditional supporters of this option and the Dutch are clearly defending this initiative alongside the French. Germany is backing France, but remains discreet because of internal dissension and financial interests in Iran. Italy and Spain remain reserved and Austria is opposed to it. The Elysee has high expectations for this debate that is beginning in a big muddle. In the background is the loud applause from Washington." (18/09/2007)

Politiken - Denmark

The Danish daily writes: "Everyone is focusing on the war rhetoric of the French and overlooking the fact that Kouchner's... real message was to impose tougher sanctions against Iran... France is proposing a harder line against Iran, but still within the ambit of the UN. Should this prove not to be possible owing to opposition from Russia and China, France suggests that the EU should impose its own sanctions. This could restrict the US's possibilities of escalating the conflict and prompt Iran to enter negotiations. Anything else would be unacceptable. This is precisely what the French government was trying to say." (19/09/2007)

Diena - Latvia

Aivars Ozolins doesn't see Kouchner's remarks on Iran as a call for war, but as a new direction in French foreign policy. "I'm pleased to see that Sarkozy is rejecting his predecessor's course, which envisaged France as an international superpower that should act as the European counterweight to the US. The US's potential to influence global events has shrunk owing to the war in Iraq, so France's commitment to transatlantic cooperation comes just in time. It's important that France call on the EU to impose sanctions on Iran, regardless of what the UN Security Council decides. Only a united West can force the regime in Tehran to reflect on whether its risky behaviour is really worthwhile." (19/09/2007)

Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung - Germany

Michaela Wiegel explains the media strategy behind Mr Kouchner's remarks on Iran: "Stepping out from under the shadow of the omnipresent French president Nicolas Sarkozy has become a matter of political survival for most French ministers. For Bernard Kouchner, a master of media manipulation, this is particularly true. This is why he's not afraid to use strong words... He has never been bothered by the fact that he couldn't bring his activities in line with those of a particular party or government. He called for European intervention in the Balkans despite Mitterrand's opposition. He provoked anger from all sides when at the end of the first Gulf War he criticised the Western allies' support for the dictator Saddam Hussein... Kouchner's undiplomatic, unfettered approach was what led Sarkozy to appoint him as France's top diplomat." (19/09/2007)

» To the complete press review of Wednesday, September 19, 2007

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