PrintSeptember 17, 2005
The French write off Kerry
The French have announced they are seeking renewed good relations with the U.S., calling it a "a new alliance" with the U.S., no matter who wins Tuesday's election, according to The Telegraph of London. For fun, I called up my favorite French diplomat at a distant embassy and asked him what he made of that particular statement.
"Don't call it a 'new alliance' just yet," mon ami told me on the phone. "We don't want people to think it's some political—party alliance with the Democrats."
I asked him why anyone would think that.
"You know every one of us here is for Kerry."
Well, obvious enough. Yes? So?
"We have to be very cautious now. Just call it friendlier relations."
Suddenly the point of the new policy is clear:
The French have written off Kerry.
A.M. Mora y Leon
