The Sarkozy Mediterranean Romance Show

by korzac | July 14, 2008 at 05:49 am | 269 views | 5 comments

I give here my opinion about the Mediterranean 43 nations gathering under the auspices of President Sarkozy.

In Israel there is no great enthusiasm when seeing the receptions at the Champ Elysee. The pictures are well know pictures of politicians accolades and handshaking with in the background, limousines, french soldiers in fancy uniforms and security men. Something like the G8.

Sarkozy is trying to make his 'grand coup' especially with the Maghreb countries to minimise their emigration to France. As for Syria and Lebanon, old french protectorates and today in some way francophone countries, his involvement is perhaps useful but the main Israeli talks channel with Syria are via the Turkish mediators. Bashar Assad is one of the winner of this gathering, appearing together with all the other Arab countries, after a long period of isolation. But the Egyptian president Mubarak didn't even give a look at Assad. and Assad refuse to see PM Olmert. Libyan President Moammar Gadhafi didn't like the whole idea and stayed home. This is a shortcut to the 'sociology' of this gathering.

In Israel we know the real 'cash value' of talks, ceasefire and signed treaties in the Middle East. With the Hamas there is a ceasefire broken every day. With Syria there are talks, but via Syria there is the gigantic rearmament of the Hezbollah. With the Hezbollah there is the prisoners swap this week, but the Israeli press predict that after the swap Hezbollah is ready to attack.

The call of President Sarkozy for a free nuclear middle east (Mediterranean is not possible: France has nuclear weapons,,) is at most not serious. The principal addressee is Iran and is not a part of the Mediterranean but her missiles and their firing range grant her a participating ticket on the presidency stage.

So, the President Sarkozy's show is a french romance a la Enrico Macias, the warm-up band, until the real world star and his band, McCain or Obama will begin their world tour show.

And after all this, I hope that deeds, not words and gala banquets, will be the output of this gathering.

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Johnny Summerton

at 06:18 on July 14th, 2008

good stuff:

korzac,

Excellent. Just what I was waiting for - perspective from somewhere else on a story that the French media in general (and of course Sarkozy) is trumpeting as a diplomatic milestone. Yes it is something of a coup, and praise is due for months of behind-the-scenes negotiating. But it's far from being a panacea for the problems (political, social and economic) in the Middle East.

A stepping stone perhaps and let's see those deeds.

Thanks for the post. And I hope it makes it on to NP's front page.

korzac

at 08:11 on July 14th, 2008

Johnny Summerton, thanks for the warm comment and the GS.

Caoimhin1

at 06:23 on July 14th, 2008

good stuff:

korzac, I like this story. It's good stuff.

korzac

at 08:12 on July 14th, 2008

Caoimhin 1, thanks for thw GS.

George Haddad (not verified)

at 11:27 on July 14th, 2008

"...After the prisoner swap, hizballa is ready to attack". I thought this kind of sentiment is reserved for those who want to act/react around fear and hate without giving the issue a deserved "objective" thought. Why would they do it? when did they do it (i.e initiate major attacks on israel) beyond small operation to capture and exchange for prisoners already in israeli jails). they did it for prisoners swap and after wednesday there is no more prisoners business between israel and lebanon....so I see this as a very positive (yet painful) issue to put in the drawer.

Did you ask yourself why Israel holds Chebaa farms (as small as it is) despite the attempts to put it under UN control? Any smart person would understand that it is to induce a reaction of : Hit me baby 1 more time...till the end of time.