June 14th, 2004

From across the pond its a remarkable spectacle how American public opinion has turned into real Franco phobia over the last two years; many in the US have felt the need to distance themselves from France in extremis.

There are some in the US government who are short on brains and large on rhetoric towards France, without taking into account the historic and bilateral economic realities.

Some members in the US Congress consider the French position with regards to the war against Iraq, the position of the international community  which was brilliantly expressed at the UN by Dominique the Villepin as betrayal. Loud voices have been heard demanding France is punished. Like small children in kindergarten ridiculous gestures are made, like changing “French fries” to “freedom fries”.

Some have flung the image of Normandy’s American cemetery at France face, showing their deplorable character. This are the same disturbing voices which are also reminding France of the large debt towards the US.

There is no doubt that the French have a debt towards the US, so does the rest of Europe. Without the landing of American troops in Normandy, the French “liberation” would have not been possible. Anyone visiting Omaha Beach and the American cemetery nearby knows that, Yes, there is a debt.

But it does not ensue that we ought to blindly and forever applaud whatever the U.S. Government decides. Gratitude is no synonym for automatic conformity or subservience. To disagree on an issue, however important, is neither betrayal, nor to act ungratefully.

To which we can add that, revisit your history since without the political, diplomatic, financial, and military assistance of the French during the War of Independence, the United States might still be a British possession or protectorate. It should in particular, be remembered that at the final and decisive battle of Yorktown, Virginia, there were more French than American troops.

In the allied forces besieging the British Army and General Cornwallis, there were indeed 10,000 American soldiers, 9,000 French infantrymen, plus several thousand French soldiers and sailors aboard the French fleet blocking the Chesapeake Bay in order to prevent the British naval forces from approaching the scene of the battle.

There is no justification in resorting to the issue of gratitude in demanding slavish support as a one-day argument especial since the economic realities are lost to many in the world’s largest debtor nation.

It should be clear to members in Congress that France has been one of the key source of capital for the US. France has been one of the largest direct investors into US assets in the US. Between 2000 and 2003 it has invested $ 72 billion in US assets, compared to Germany over the same period of $ 40 billion, and Japan $ 12,5 billion.

In addition French investors have purchased $ 22 billion in US treasures corporate bills and equities. The gross output of French companies totaled almost $ 58 billion in 2000, employing 650.000 Americans, more the 100.000 people American companies employ in France.

France is one of the most important markets in the world for US companies, as well as being the 8th largest export market for US goods.

So it might be useful for all those loud voices in Washington and elsewhere to stake a step back, consider the mutual historic and economic ties that bind the US and France together.

WJJH