Sarko sur la politique étrangère, face aux médias étrangers

Le président Sarkozy a parlé, d’une manière décontractée et informelle, aux représentants des principaux médias étrangers. Ici, le compte-rendu du New York Times, par Elaine Sciolino, le 5 juin. Le texte précise que les déclarations du président ont été recoupées avec ce qu’en ont retenu les correspondants du Financial Times et du Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung.

D’une façon générale, les positions marquent une attitude de continuité par rapport à ce qu’est en général la politique extérieure française. Quelques extraits significatifs sur les sujets importants.

• Sur les relations avec les USA, dans la perspective du G8 et des sujets les plus brûlants de cette réunion (la lutte contre le réchauffement climatique notamment). Certainement le sujet le plus développé, dans tous les cas le plus documenté par Sciolino, et on y retrouve la ligne déjà développée par Sarko : ami des USA, certes, mais nullement soumis : «Even as he expressed admiration for the United States, he criticized the Bush administration for its position on global warming, signaling that there could be substantive differences with the United States in a Sarkozy administration.

»“You cannot be the first and strongest in the world and say to the rest of the world on such a subject that, ‘We are not interested in this and we will use technology to solve the problem,’ ” he said, adding, “It is not possible. It is not even in the interest of the United States. I don’t say this in an aggressive way, but because I believe it profoundly.”

»Mr. Sarkozy was referring to Mr. Bush’s unexpected proposal last week suggesting a nonbinding parallel process to that of the United Nations on climate change. The proposal includes investment in energy-efficient technologies, while maintaining American opposition to set targets for a long-term global cut in greenhouse gas emissions.

»The proposal was sharply criticized in a number of European capitals as a meaningless initiative intended to mute criticism of the United States at the G-8 summit meeting.

»Mr. Sarkozy called it “encouraging” that Mr. Bush now recognized that there was a global warming problem, but said, “In my eyes, it is not sufficient.”

»The purpose of a bilateral meeting he is scheduled to have with Mr. Bush on Friday is, he said, “to underline my willingness to be an ally of the United States,” but not “a vassal.”»

• La prise de contact avec Poutine. Au milieu de la polémique est des divers excès rhétoriques, la position de Sarkozy est très prudente, très ouverte, avec l’intention de confirmer le plus possible les relations avec la Russie en-dehors des effets de la polémique : «In dealing with President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia, Mr. Sarkozy called for a “strategic partnership and very friendly relations,” rather than confrontation. Citing the importance of personal contact to resolve diplomatic problems, he said he wanted to know “what worries” Mr. Putin, “what mobilizes him” and “what are his red lines.”»

• Sur la question des anti-missiles, une position réservée, avec exhortation au dialogue : «Mr. Sarkozy did not pass judgment on the American plan to build a ballistic missile defense system in the Czech Republic and Poland, and urged dialogue as the only way to resolve the diplomatic impasse. But he noted that the system would not be able to stop an attack by Russian missiles. “We must talk to them,” Mr. Sarkozy said of the Russians, but stressed that the issue should be discussed at NATO rather than at the G-8 meeting.»

• Sur les forces françaises en Afghanistan, Sarko confirme son désir de les retirer, admettant que cela ne doit pas être fait de façon précipitée : «On Afghanistan, where the Bush administration wants France and other troop-contributing countries to do more, not less, Mr. Sarkozy reiterated his campaign pledge that French troops would not remain there indefinitely, adding that he intended to raise the issue when he met with Mr. Bush. “We do not have the mission to stay there forever, but to leave now would show a lack of unity with our allies,” Mr. Sarkozy said. He said it was essential to find a solution “between the two extremes,” and most important, to carry out the “gigantic job” of training the Afghan Army.»

• Sur l’irak, confirmation du soutien à la ligne suivie par Chirac de désaccord avec l’invasion : «As for Iraq, Mr. Sarkozy reiterated that his predecessor, Jacques Chirac, made a “good decision” in keeping French troops out of the conflict. But Mr. Sarkozy also refused to discuss a possible exit strategy for American troops, saying, “I do not think that a country without troops in the country is the best place to answer these questions.”»

Mis en ligne le 4 juin 2007 à 14H42