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Are Freedom Fries Aptly Named?

By Justin Gardner | Related entries in Foreign Policy, The War On Terrorism, The World, War

Especially since the US is now working very closely with France to fight the WOT?

PARIS — Once every five or six weeks, a French presidential adviser named Maurice Gourdault-Montagne flies to Washington to meet with his American counterpart, national security adviser Stephen Hadley. They spend several hours coordinating strategy on Iran, Syria, Lebanon and other hot spots, and then the Frenchman flies home. In between trips, the two men talk often on the phone, usually on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Welcome to the French Connection. Though the link between the top foreign policy advisers of Presidents Bush and Jacques Chirac is almost unknown to the outside world, it has emerged as an important element of U.S. planning. On a public level, France may still be the butt of jokes among American politicians, but in these private diplomatic contacts, the Elysee Palace has become one of the White House’s most important and effective allies.

During a visit here this week, I had a chance to talk with French sources who know some of the closely held details. It’s an intriguing story of back channels and secret missions, but it illustrates a larger change in America’s approach: Bruised by the war in Iraq, the administration is now working hard to conduct its foreign policy in tandem with international allies and, where possible, through the United Nations.

All I have to say is, “TrÃƒÂ©s bien.”

This entry was posted on Wednesday, February 1st, 2006 and is filed under Foreign Policy, The War On Terrorism, The World, War. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

2 Responses to “Are Freedom Fries Aptly Named?”

debsay Says:
February 6th, 2006 at 2:24 pm
I wonder if the recent ‘riots’ in France have played a part in making them recognize a danger, finally…. or could it be the ‘bribes for oil’ scandal they are trying to live down???
Justin Gardner Says:
February 6th, 2006 at 3:05 pm
Well, it’s not like they’re a rogue nation. I’m pretty sure they’re helping us because they love freedom and hate terrorism.

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