French Appeasement
Reader comment on item: [Nepal and France:] Two Opposite Responses to Terrorism

Submitted by John (United States), Sep 14, 2004 at 17:31

I agree with you that France is selling out to terrorism. The comparision with Nepal however, was a bad one. You give the Islamists and their left-wing sympathizers way too ammunition.

When a country or ethnic group is a victim of terrorism we must all unite behind the victim. The French government's policies are partly responsible for the lawless of Iraq and ultimately the kidnapping of its own citizens. However, they are still victims in this situation and it is understandable that they try to save their own citizens.

Of course, we still need to struggle with them for their appeasement. France is widely praised in some circles for their Middle East policies. These policies have been based on economic ties with the Baathist regime, their continued anti-Americanism (since the days of de Gaulle) and a large Islamic population.

Even Al Qaeda recognizes this type of situation. As Hussein's regime became isolated after the first Gulf War he began to court Islamic radicalism to bolster his cause. This led to Al Qaeda making public statements that Hussein is still considered an enemy of Islam, but if he would change his policies then he would be forgiven. Al Qaeda knows how to co-opt other political and military organizations that have no other allies. We need to adopt the same tone with France.

No matter how much the French try to portray themselves as the champions of Anti-Americanism, they have no choice. As an influencial Western Civilization they are an enemy of Islamic Terrorism. They will be fighting Islamic Fundamentalism sooner or...later!

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