Strengthening anti terrorism measures, nuclear control and collective security in France, Europe and the United States

"America's traditional alliances, such as NATO, must be transformed and strengthened, including on common security concerns like Afghanistan, homeland security, and counterterrorism. Obama and Biden will renew alliances and ensure our allies contribute their fair share to our mutual security." (President's agenda)

THE CHALLENGE

In this context of collective security, France is expected to proceed with a plan that would create a “common arms export policy” based on a proposal recently passed by the European Parliament and one which was spearheaded by France. Furthermore, President Sarkozy wants to harmonize military training in Europe, as well as to europeanize the foreign military bases of EU member states while attempting to reintegrate into the military structure of NATO and focus on high-tech weapons as France closes additional un-necessary military bases.(1)

For the United States (and other pro-NATO allies),  Sarkozy’s ambitious military plans pose a dilemma. On the one hand,  the Americans want the Europeans to assume more of the burden for transatlantic defense, including in Afghanistan. On the other hand, they want the Europeans to do this in a way that does not undermine NATO. (2)

Yet, most of Sarkozy’s proposals seem to be geared toward creating a rival European defense structure that over time will duplicate but not double NATO resources. (3)

For example, the 60,000-strong EU force would draw on the same troops that are currently committed to the 26 Nations who make up NATO. For such an EU force to be viable, troops would need to be on constant standby for EU missions. Considering that all EU countries are already stretched to the limit, Sarkozy’s plans would divert manpower away from the NATO mission in Afghanistan and from other potential regional conflict theaters. And nearly all observers agree that the future of the Atlantic Alliance hinges on success or failure in Afghanistan, notwithstanding other issues on which France and the USA are sensitive such as the  Hezbolla rise in Lebanon  and Hamas problem in Israel, the  Iranian race to uranium and mass destruction weapons, Korean nuclear ambitions and the stalled Israeli-Palestinian peace process. For another twenty pages of analysis on this question, please click here.

PROPOSED PLAN OF ACTION

By emphasizing the down-sizing of American manpower participation in NATO and increasing the means by which the International Criminal Court in Rome functions, by promoting the shifting of focus from Iraq to the heroin poppy and terrorist pockets of Afghanistan and to the nuclear challenge posed by Iran, Pakistan and North Korea, by promoting greater French and European responsibilities in securing their own defense and in some regional defense (e.g. African, Mid-East, Iran and Afghanistan), including, but not limited to negociate with the Sarkozy government a reduction of its huge civil nuclear park and European collaboration to repair the dangerous Tchernobyl-type nuclear reactors of East Europe, by keeping any arms race in check and integrating all of NATO members and a few other non members within an American-European-led collective and accountable security (military) system, including Russia, Ukrain, Georgia, Japan, Brazil and India, (the last three of whom could be invited to joind the Security Council of the U.N.),by putting in place an international system where trade wars and economic havoc are well regulated inter alia, world security would improve while the American and French Nations would feel more secure and it may then be possible for the U.S. and other military States to reconvert some of its military might into economic sustainability and more effective preventive diplomacy whose mandate would be to build a Department of Disarmament and Peace in each State which would "green" out (e.g. strengthen) poverty pockets via green technology, tree planting, education and the complete spectrum of sustainability via the planting of holistic health sustainable eco villages or kibbutz like strucutres and human rights and duties lighthouse centers, as the source of all terrorism and wars remain a hungry stomach, diseases, no decent shelter and all of the other ingredients that help meet basic needs and human dignity.

Meanwhile, it is important to consolidate alliances in order to firmly reinforce collective security measures, a recommendation which is in compliance with President Obama's agenda.

"Obama and Biden will pursue tough, direct diplomacy without preconditions with all nations, friend and foe. They will do the careful preparation necessary, but will signal that America is ready to come to the table and is willing to lead. And if America is willing to come to the table, the world will be more willing to rally behind American leadership to deal with challenges like confronting terrorism and Iran and North Korea's nuclear programs."

In this framework, there should be greater intelligence and military collaboration between France and the U.S on the issues of terrorism, (as Sarkozy has attempted, tho insufficiently) Afghanistan and the Mid-East.

 

NUCLEAR RISKS

 

More should and must be done to contain the spread of weapons of mass destruction (and not just nuclear, but the poor man's desperate biological and chemical weapons as well) and on the dangerous defective civil nuclear stations of Eastern Europe, over a dozen of which could be Tchernobyl-like world hassles.

“Obama and Biden will secure all loose nuclear materials in the world within four years. While working to secure existing stockpiles of nuclear material, Obama and Biden will negotiate a verifiable global ban on the production of new nuclear weapons material. This will deny terrorists the ability to steal or buy loose nuclear materials.” (President's agenda)

In this perspective, the U.S could assist France and Europe in safely eliminating these Eastern European nuclear reactors and in being less dependent on nuclear energy and on Russia's oil and assist Russia’s stability by helping to spread  alternative energy technologies and eco-sustainability schemes via a massive “Marshall Plan” for all of Europe, the Mid-East, Russia, Georgia, the World.

On nuclear energy, there is serious potential for conflict with France given Sarkozy's public policy on the renewal of France's vast nuclear park, as this public policy contributes to the spreading of nuclear waste and thermo-fission technology in the world.

"Lead a global effort to negotiate a verifiable treaty ending the production of fissile materials for weapons purposes.....Prevent Nuclear Fuel from Becoming Nuclear Bombs: Work with other interested governments to establish a new international nuclear energy architecture -- including an international nuclear fuel bank, international nuclear fuel cycle centers, and reliable fuel supply assurances -- to meet growing demands for nuclear power without contributing to proliferation". (The President's Agenda)

As a result, there are opportunities to convince the French to import American savoir-faire in alternative and complementary energy systems, once more is done domestically.

Likewise with Sarkozy's military ambitions, notably with the creation of an European independent defense force which would rival NATO, that which includes an independent weapons unit. A development which could fuel transatlantic stress, including but not limited to an arms race whose velocity would surpass the speed at which cruises diplomatic entente and normative codification. If interested, please see my analysis on this.

In the field of the Mid-East, there have often been disputes and self-serving confusion between France and the United States on how to handle these conflicts.

"Obama and Biden will make progress on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict a key diplomatic priority from day one. They will make a sustained push -- working with Israelis and Palestinians -- to achieve the goal of two states, a Jewish state in Israel and a Palestinian state, living side by side in peace and security" (The President's agenda).

 

A DEPARTMENT OF DISARMAMENT AND PEACE IN BOTH FRANCE AND THE UNITED STATES

 

Other Security threats where France and the United States have an interest in active cooperation are as follows. Cyber threats (especially those linked to terrorism) and in the creation of a Department of Disarmament and Peace in the two countries and the World. Contributing in re-vamping the U.N. would also help. President Obama's plan to create a national CAC of 25,000 personnel, a corps of civilian volunteers with special skills (e.g., doctors, lawyers, engineers, city and eco-village planners, agriculture and environmental specialists, police, courts etc.) would be a good starting point to creating the future new international Institutions that are needed. And the French could match this effort with their organization "Doctors without frontiers" (created by the acting Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr Kouchner) and other structures. Humanitarian projects are also peace-making operations and both France and the U.S have excelled in this field. President Obama's agenda goes in this direction.

"The Obama-Biden administration will expand humanitarian activities that build friendships and attract allies at the regional and local level (such as during the response to the tsunami in South and Southeast Asia), and win hearts and minds in the process" . President Obama's agenda.

Which also means greater collaboration when destruction and diseases ensue.

"Ensure that decision-makers have the information and communication tools they need to manage disease outbreaks by linking health care providers, hospitals, and public health agencies. A well-planned, well-rehearsed, and rapidly executed epidemic response can dramatically diminish the consequences of biological attacks". (President Obama's agenda)

 

TRADE WARS

 

Moreover, conflicts and insecurity symptoms are often caused by trade wars. Today, there remains the protectionist temptation to increase visible and invisible trade barriers and government subsidies, which would undermine world economy and encourage States to retaliate with similar measures. Measures whose effects would be to depress the economy even more, and push American and French unemployment to new highs. During Hitler's war, military conflict preparation and the actual labor and capital intensive economy that was subsequently produced were the two structural conditions which jump started the economic machine of those times.

Because there is a consensus that Ricardo's theory on the international division of labor and trade economy fuels growth world-wide, it may be useful for the U.S President, by virtue of Article 6 of the Constitution and practice, to overrule Congressional protectionist measures, as this would violate international agreements and worsen economic recovery.

This is why it makes sense for the Government to invest in sustainability. One the one hand, eco-settlements can act like shock absorbers and safety nets for the satisfaction of basic needs. And on the other hand, the Government can continue participating in world development via the "business as usual" mantra. Thus avoiding Franco-American and general conflict.

 

THE FRENCH PEOPLE MAY NOT BE IN ALIGNMENT WITH PRESIDENT SARKOZY

 

Also, U.S. State Department intelligence ought not to underestimate the sovereign will of the French People (who recently rejected European construction) vis-a-vis President Sarkozy. As it is, by French constitutional law, the French People who are sovereign. The Sarkozy Government claims that its decisions are carried out in the name and for the benefit of the People, “le Peuple”. But in some aspects of French public policy, this assessment may have been determined too rapidly. The Fifth Constitution organically incorporates France's Fourth Constitution which provides that the Law of Nations (public international law) takes precedence over French national law. Thus, Peace making is more important that Napoléonic-style military ambitions. (In the French press, Sarkozy has often been compared to Napoléon). And the U.S diplomats, in particular a French born and cultured U.S. ambassador to France could courteously remind the French Government and the French People of these "peace keeping and building" responsibilities under international law, if only because public opinion polls show that President Sarkozy is losing the media image contest and the next French President in 2012 will most likely be someone else. A recent poll shows that 55 percent of the French do not want Nicolas Sarkozy to even be a presidential candidate in 2012.

 

MORE DIRECT BILATERAL AND MULTILATERAL NEGOCIATIONS ARE DESIRABLE BECAUE EUROPE STILL DOES NOT HAVE ONE VOICE

“Barack Obama and Joe Biden will renew America’s security and standing in the world through a new era of American leadership. The Obama-Biden foreign policy will end the war in Iraq responsibly, finish the fight against the Taliban and al Qaeda in Afghanistan, secure nuclear weapons and loose nuclear materials from terrorists, and renew American diplomacy to support strong alliances and to seek a lasting peace in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.” (President's agenda, which can be read via the White House's link)

Although France has been instrumental in the forging of the European Union, her diplomats and statesmen have not been successful in fostering European institutional coherence, which is the central conditions for European-American cooperation and friendship to prosper. Better and more frequent bilateral and multilateral exchanges would generate greater trust. That which is in compliance with the President's agenda.

“ The incoming administration of President-elect Barack Obama promises to open a new chapter in Europe's relations with the United States, paving the way for transatlantic collaboration to address such global challenges as climate change, terrorism and the economic downturn (…).Obama's transitional administration wants "more cooperation, more consultation and wants to use multilateral institutions more effectively – and wants to do so on the basis of values and rapport," said Sheinwald. "That's the sort of approach that we in Europe very warmly welcome." (1)   (UCLA today, December 9, 2008)

I am presently working on a concrete Franco-American Diplomatic plan of action to contribute in finding solutions to these challenges. Meanwhile, please see my gubernatorial efforts in this realm. First on the concrete measures which can reduce terrorism and its source (poverty), while increasing eco development, (measures on anti-terrorism and poverty). Poverty issues are inseparable from terrorism. The Obama agenda emphasizes similar actions.

Then please survey my analysis and proposed measures to reduce tyranny and bureaucracy while increasing the People's Democracy. Finally, please see my recent analysis on NATO and on the theme "convergence-divergence fo interests" in Franco-American Diplomatic relations.

 

FOOTNOTES