Discussion for article #234561
Does anyone have a good read on France’s hard-line position? Any idea on their possible motivation to sink the talks with last-minute or exorbitant demands?
Not to get too tin-foil-hatty, but Is their nuclear sector in any way positioned to service Iran’s desire for nuclear materials? Is there a French cui bono here?
I ask because I seem to recall that one year ago, when President Obama was trying to get a skittish Europe united behind sanctions against Russia over the Ukraine incursion, it turned out that France’s aerospace industry had some outstanding orders for fighter jets to deliver to Russia.
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The Republicans hate progress. They will find some way to try and sabotage it.
I think you mean [ships][1]. I’m not seeing anything in the French quotes that signals an unwillingness to reach deal, just a disagreement on the immediate framework deadline. — parts edited because i misread the french perspective… For what it’s worth, the French ships for Russia are still on hold.
[1]:http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/russia-to-order-french-mistral-lhds-05749/
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OK, thanks for the correction. I did recall it was some type of military purchase.
France does have a robust military sector, and a robust nuclear industry. Most of their electricity comes from nuclear power plants.
I’m concerned that France’s push for a longer timetable for the agreement, and a slow-walk of the easing of sanctions, could prove to be a deal-breaker, which could position them for a “separate peace” with Iran.
I know that sounds conspiratorial – I’m just throwing this out for comment.
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Serious money says Tom Cotton “finds” a way to bloviate his letter was responsible for progress in the talks.
It’s a fair concern. When Al Sisi faced minor sanctions from the US after his coup, he diversified his military’s inventory by buying French Rafales. Iran is similarly an ideal client for France. They could potential get solid military upgrade in aviation and naval power at a fraction of the cost of US suppliers. This would be great for France in general and also because it looks like their aircraft deal with India is in doubt.
I don’t think Hollande just wants a deal to fail. However, the US and likely UK are trying to prevent a war. I doubt France, Germany, Russia, or China, would go to war to prevent Iran from getting the bomb. They do have substantial economic interest in opening Iran.
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I agree with your points, but I’m not sure how Holland figures into this.
Foreign policy being the an the purview of the president? I could be wrong on the structure of the French govt. I assumed it is directed by the president. Also, attributing government actions to actual administrations instead of the nation as a personified entity. I have made this mistake on here before.
OK, now I understand you. I thought the French president’s name was Hollande.
Ha! Wow.
Typo fixed and more corrections forthcoming.
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Mal gendarme, good cop?
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Senator Ayn Rand Paul already beat him to the punch.
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Hey just in time for mindless ideologues to scuttle the deal and jeopardize an opportunity to stabilize centuries old divisions in the middle east.They will rationalize that no deal is good for 'Murica ignoring the fact that we live in an international community that require increasing cooperation and mutual dependency.
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It’s nice to have a “willing partner” in Middle Eastern negotiations for once.
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OK, you had me wondering, since Holland is not a party to the P5 plus 1.
In watching the reporting on the Iran talks, among other diplomatic efforts, I realize John Kerry may have been a really good president along the same lines as President Obama has been. Thoughtful and respectful of the nuances in all things international in a way the Cheney administration never understood nor wanted.
Damn Rove’s Ohio hi-jinx in 2004.
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For our French friends, how about “mauvais” instead?