Final word on the French
Dear Editor,
I read with interest the guest column by Bernard J. Margueritte ("Snapping the French connection," March 3), outlining with absolute clarity why Poland has blundered in its support for the United States. While President Jacques Chirac may have been insulting, Mr. Margueritte takes it several steps further.
First, some facts. Last time I checked, a majority of the countries in Europe supported the US position and stated so in the now famous letter of support.
Second, the French are supporting Saddam Hussein. They are doing a lot of business with him as we speak. If my history is correct, they sold him a nuclear power plant.
Third, and probably most important, it is not "illegal" to enforce all the resolutions already approved by the United Nations; nor is it "immoral" to free the Iraqi people from this totalitarian nightmare.
Fourth, it is clear that if Poland continues to rebel against the self-appointed nouveau leaders of Old Europe, France will use its economic power to hurt Poland. It is ironic that the French seem to have a more favourable trade policy with Saddam. They would have made a better case to the world if this diatribe was directed at Saddam and not Poland.
Fifth, it should be clear from Mr. Margueritte's column to all Poles that France, Germany and, of all countries, Russia, will set the agenda for Europe. This sounds familiar and usually does not end well for Poland.
Last, the writer stresses early on that Chirac is a leader of a more humane and decent world. Unfortunately, history is not on his side. I could go on, but in the interest of brevity ... Are Poles sure they do not want to join NAFTA?
Dennis Mahoney
New York
I read with interest the guest column by Bernard J. Margueritte ("Snapping the French connection," March 3), outlining with absolute clarity why Poland has blundered in its support for the United States. While President Jacques Chirac may have been insulting, Mr. Margueritte takes it several steps further.
First, some facts. Last time I checked, a majority of the countries in Europe supported the US position and stated so in the now famous letter of support.
Second, the French are supporting Saddam Hussein. They are doing a lot of business with him as we speak. If my history is correct, they sold him a nuclear power plant.
Third, and probably most important, it is not "illegal" to enforce all the resolutions already approved by the United Nations; nor is it "immoral" to free the Iraqi people from this totalitarian nightmare.
Fourth, it is clear that if Poland continues to rebel against the self-appointed nouveau leaders of Old Europe, France will use its economic power to hurt Poland. It is ironic that the French seem to have a more favourable trade policy with Saddam. They would have made a better case to the world if this diatribe was directed at Saddam and not Poland.
Fifth, it should be clear from Mr. Margueritte's column to all Poles that France, Germany and, of all countries, Russia, will set the agenda for Europe. This sounds familiar and usually does not end well for Poland.
Last, the writer stresses early on that Chirac is a leader of a more humane and decent world. Unfortunately, history is not on his side. I could go on, but in the interest of brevity ... Are Poles sure they do not want to join NAFTA?
Dennis Mahoney
New York
