In keeping with their long, proud history of surrendering BEFORE anyone else can, France has surrendered this time to that mighty military machine of the Middle East, Palestine.
France has pledged to cooperate with a coalition Palestinian government that would include Hamas, in a key boost for Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas. But Abbas’s European tour failed to make headway on resuming aid for his struggling people.
French Foreign Minister Philippe Douste-Blazy’s promise Saturday to work with a government including Hamas and Fatah was the bright spot in Abbas’s four-country swing through Europe this week. Other European leaders were more cautious, preferring to wait until the government is formed before making any commitments.
"I encouraged Mr. Abbas to persevere in his efforts to quickly form a national unity government," Douste-Blazy told reporters Saturday evening as Abbas wrapped up his trip.
If the government is formed according to the power-sharing deal worked out in Mecca last month, Douste-Blazy said, "France will be ready to cooperate with it. And our country will plead on its behalf within the European Union and with other partners in the international community."
Of course, in surrendering to the not-quite-a-country that is Palestine, they refused to give up any money. Which was all Abbas was actually looking for. Just curious, has a country ever surrendered when no one was asking them to?
Technorati Tags: International Issues
Tags: International Issues
No Comments »
