Le Worm sold out his nation
British Sun commentator Trevor Kavanaugh’s thoughts on what Chirac’s manhandling of the UN Security Council has done to relations to the United States:
CHARLATAN Jacques Chirac is basking in cheap applause for his “Save Saddam” campaign — but his treachery will cost his people dear.
This grandstanding egomaniac has inflicted irreparable damage on some of the most important yet fragile structures of international order.
He has exposed the United Nations as an impotent talking shop and driven a wedge through the heart of the European Union.
He has insulted newly democratic European countries like Poland, Hungary and the Czech Republic, and he has rocked the foundations of Tony Blair, the most popular Prime Minister ever to hold the office in Britain.
But his most grievous blunder has been to make an enemy of America. The USA will take a long time to forgive Chirac for putting the interests of Saddam Hussein ahead of a nation which has bled for his people. The Second World War ended 58 years ago, but for many Americans who fought or lost loved ones, it was only yesterday.
They remember graveyards full of white crosses bearing the names of young men who died to liberate France for the second time in a century.
Americans are an emotional people and they have taken rejection by the French people badly.
This week, a veteran of the Normandy landings said: “If I went to France again, I’d spit on them.”
A source in the US capital said: “Chirac has made it impossible to restore normal diplomatic relations. The American people won’t allow it.”
Consumers are turning their backs on French perfumes, wines and cars.
Restaurants are erasing “French fries” from their menus and substituting “Freedom fries”.
But that’s just the start. America is a vast, rich country. The giant Wal-mart chain is worth more than Europe’s defence firms put together. Bill Gates’ Microsoft empire has more cash than the entire UK defence budget.
This self-confident mammoth can be clumsy and sometimes treads on toes. The UN may be a talking shop but, until this week, it was a diplomatic channel for countries like France to sort out such misunderstandings.
At a stroke, Chirac has destroyed this crucial link to the White House.
For all his lofty pretence, Chirac’s motive is to boost French oil and trade deals with Iraq. In the name of France, Chirac has seriously damaged his country’s national interest.
But when the West starts rebuilding this tragic nation, French contractors will be firmly shut out.
French people may cheer Chirac today, but their mood will turn bloody once they realise the truth.
Vive la Revolution.