Chirac: French for Reversal

24 February 2003


Chirac Creates Escape Path

President Jacques Chirac has laid the groundwork for a reversal of his Iraqi policy that leaves him a chance at a no-lose situation. Although he has damaged France's relationship with the US in the process, he has won the hearts and minds of French voters by standing up to President Bush the Lesser. His latest statement about Iraqi missiles positions him to lead the French into war wholeheartedly.

President Chirac has told Saddam Hussein, in terms about as direct as they can be, that some of Iraq's missiles must be destroyed because they can fly too far. Mr. Hussein, never one to take the smart way out, may well tell the French that this "technical" violation is not worth his while, and that destroying the missiles will be too expensive, difficult, or inconvenient.

When he does that, he will have stood up to the French, and President Chirac will be able to go to his nation and say that French interests, French honor, and French security demand war. And his people will agree. President Chirac will have gone the extra mile for peace and still be able to enjoy picking the bones of a defeated Iraq.

Of course, if President Hussein does agree to get rid of the missiles, Mr. Chirac will be able to tell the world that his approach works, Mr. Bush's does not, and again, it is game, set, and match to the President of the Fifth Republic. One must admire the political conniving behind it all.