Dangerous liaisons: On the love-hate affair between the US and France

Résumé du document

A quick look at the sheer number of French books written on the United States, whether it is on 9/11, Iraq, the environment, George W.Bush or any other foreign policy issue, shows how important is the United States for France. The opposite may not be so true. France is considered like one of America's oldest ally, although it is probably the less docile. While both countries have historically always been allies and shared the same values, a streak of competition and dispute often emerges between the two nations.

France is generally considered to be a medium-sized country but some particularities make it special with regard to the American foreign policy: Its influence in the European Union, the fact that France is a nuclear power and last but not least France's permanent seat in the UN Security Council.

The French-American alliance dates back to the birth of the United States and their deep historical and cultural connection cannot be denied. However, two major issues in foreign affairs had recently weakened the relationship: France's opposition to the American invasion of Iraq and its consecutive waves of resentment and the development of an independent European Security and Defense Policy.

Extraits

[...] They had to rely heavily on NATO and American military resources. The US were reluctant to intervene in what they considered a European crisis, and were increasingly annoyed at having to military cooperate with countries well below inter-operability level[11]. In reaction to this bitter failure, the European Union, led by France and Germany, decided to design a Common Foreign and Security Policy. Officially implemented in 1998, this policy is based on the Western European Union's “Petersberg tasks”[12], and includes: o Humanitarian and rescue tasks o Peace-keeping operations o Crisis management, including peacemaking operations Not all European countries were favourable to this idea, some because of their traditional neutrality, others because they considered that their defence was to be guaranteed solely by NATO. [...]

[...] Finally, the recent election of an openly pro-American French President might signal a new beginning in the relationship between the US and France. France and the United States: historical allies, historical rivals? The French embassy in the United States and the Embassy of the United States in Paris's websites[1] both state on their front pages that France is oldest ally of the United States”. While that view may not be shared by everyone, history indeed shows that the relationship between France and the United States dates all the way back to the American Revolution, when French troops helped the Americans to resist the British. [...]

[...] Les liaisons dangereuses : On the love-hate affair between the US and France American tourists in Paris are reported to being yelled at, spit upon, and attacked by the French. Thank God things are getting back to normal. Leno A quick look at the sheer number of French books written on the United States, whether it be on 9/11, Iraq, the environment, George W.Bush. or any other foreign policy issue, shows how important is the United States for France. The opposite may not be so true. [...]

[...] Contemporary Review. Summer 2007. YAKEMTCHOUK, Romain. La politique étrangère de l'Union Européenne [The European Union Foreign Policy]. L'Harmattan. June 2005. Websites French Embassy in the United States official website. Cooperation that counts. American Embassy in Paris official website Official website of the book L'effroyable imposture. Europa Glossary. Petersberg Tasks. Wikipedia article on Nicolas Sarkozy. [...]

[...] U.S.-French Commercial Ties. CRS Report for Congress. July Dominique Moisi, Financial Times August cited in C. Fraser The EU and US: Friends or Rivals?, National Europe Centre Paper No March BBC News, “Outrage at Old Europe Remarks”, January http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/2687403.stm US Department of State http://usinfo.state.gov/xarchives/display.html?p=washfile- english&y=2007&m=August&x=20070810163744esnamfuak 0.90086 EuroNews “Sarkozy: Iran's nuclear plans could be "catastrophic" http://www.euronews.net/index.php?page=info&article=439453&lng=1 Wall Street Journal, Editorial Page, August Controversial 2000 economic policy fixing the working week limit at 35 hours. [...]