[Two weeks ago, the Ambassador of France in Israel drew a sharp distinction between the terrorism of Bin-Laden and that of PLO leader Yasser Arafat and his storm troopers. This week, the British Foreign Minister attempted to shift part of the blame for Bin-Laden-style international terrorism to Israel, one of its primary victims, while on his way to Iran, one of its primary instigators. Furthermore, US Secretary of State Colin Powell seems to be intent on facilitating negotiations between the PLO and Israel, as his country mobilizes for all-out war against anti-US terrorism. In light of these recent events, we present the following article, originally published last year in the Middle East Quarterly, as a parable for the aforementioned governments to consider.]
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On a recent trip to Israel, French prime minister Lionel Jospin urged Israel to make concessions for peace. More interesting yet, in documents relating to his visit, Jerusalem was called the "capital of the Palestinian Authority." And what does he consider the capital of Israel? Tel Aviv, of course. This trip followed by a few years one made by President Jacques Chirac, who used the occasion of his visit in 1996 to announce that "Syria has a moral right to demand return of the Golan Heights." These French politicians may be on to something important. Never one to back down from a challenge, I have prepared a set of proposals for consideration by the French people, so they too can achieve a full, lasting and just peace with their historic opponents.
First, we all agree that territory must not be annexed by force. Therefore, we can also agree that Germany has a moral right to demand the return of Alsace-Lorraine, for the French aggression in 1945 and its consequent occupation must not be rewarded. "A full withdrawal for full peace" should operate here.
Further, France must agree to the return and rehabilitation of all ethnic Germans expelled from Alsace-Lorraine after World Wars I and II, as well as all those they define as their descendants.
This, of course, is just the first step toward a solution, as no aggression can be rewarded - and France has much other stolen territory to return. It took Corsica from Genoa, Nice and Savoy from Piedmont. As the successor state, Italy must get back all these lands. By similar token, territories grabbed from the Habsburgs go back to Austria, including Franche-Comt, Artois, and historic Burgundy. The Roussillon area (along the Pyrenes) must be returned to Spain, its rightful owner. And Normandy, Anjou, Aquitaine and Gascony must be returned to their rightful owners, the British royal family.
Not even this not enough for the sake of peace. Brittany and Languedoc must be granted autonomy at once, recognizing the Breton and Occitan Liberation organizations as their legal rulers.
This leaves the French government in control over the le de France (the area around Paris). That, however, still does not solve the problem of the Holy City of Paris, sacred to artists, adulterers, and gourmets. The Corsicans obviously have a historic claim to the Tomb of the Emperor Napoleon, their famed son, as well as the Invalides complex and beyond. For the sake of peace, is it too much to ask that Paris be the capital for two peoples?
The French authorities must agree to prevent French Parisians from even entering the sacred tomb area, lest this upset the Corsicans. The Saint Chapelle and the Church of Notre Dame will, of course, be internationalized, under joint Vatican-art historical auspices. Indeed, the French should consider it a compliment of the highest order that so many people see Paris as an international city.
The French have nothing to complain of. They will enjoy the benefits of peace and retain control of the Champs Elyses. Actually, come to think of it, even the Champs Elyses may be too much.
In keeping with the French position that Jerusalem is not the capital of Israel, perhaps the true capital of France is not Paris at all, but Vichy.
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Dr. Steven Plaut teaches at the Graduate School of Business, University of Haifa, Israel.
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On a recent trip to Israel, French prime minister Lionel Jospin urged Israel to make concessions for peace. More interesting yet, in documents relating to his visit, Jerusalem was called the "capital of the Palestinian Authority." And what does he consider the capital of Israel? Tel Aviv, of course. This trip followed by a few years one made by President Jacques Chirac, who used the occasion of his visit in 1996 to announce that "Syria has a moral right to demand return of the Golan Heights." These French politicians may be on to something important. Never one to back down from a challenge, I have prepared a set of proposals for consideration by the French people, so they too can achieve a full, lasting and just peace with their historic opponents.
First, we all agree that territory must not be annexed by force. Therefore, we can also agree that Germany has a moral right to demand the return of Alsace-Lorraine, for the French aggression in 1945 and its consequent occupation must not be rewarded. "A full withdrawal for full peace" should operate here.
Further, France must agree to the return and rehabilitation of all ethnic Germans expelled from Alsace-Lorraine after World Wars I and II, as well as all those they define as their descendants.
This, of course, is just the first step toward a solution, as no aggression can be rewarded - and France has much other stolen territory to return. It took Corsica from Genoa, Nice and Savoy from Piedmont. As the successor state, Italy must get back all these lands. By similar token, territories grabbed from the Habsburgs go back to Austria, including Franche-Comt, Artois, and historic Burgundy. The Roussillon area (along the Pyrenes) must be returned to Spain, its rightful owner. And Normandy, Anjou, Aquitaine and Gascony must be returned to their rightful owners, the British royal family.
Not even this not enough for the sake of peace. Brittany and Languedoc must be granted autonomy at once, recognizing the Breton and Occitan Liberation organizations as their legal rulers.
This leaves the French government in control over the le de France (the area around Paris). That, however, still does not solve the problem of the Holy City of Paris, sacred to artists, adulterers, and gourmets. The Corsicans obviously have a historic claim to the Tomb of the Emperor Napoleon, their famed son, as well as the Invalides complex and beyond. For the sake of peace, is it too much to ask that Paris be the capital for two peoples?
The French authorities must agree to prevent French Parisians from even entering the sacred tomb area, lest this upset the Corsicans. The Saint Chapelle and the Church of Notre Dame will, of course, be internationalized, under joint Vatican-art historical auspices. Indeed, the French should consider it a compliment of the highest order that so many people see Paris as an international city.
The French have nothing to complain of. They will enjoy the benefits of peace and retain control of the Champs Elyses. Actually, come to think of it, even the Champs Elyses may be too much.
In keeping with the French position that Jerusalem is not the capital of Israel, perhaps the true capital of France is not Paris at all, but Vichy.
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Dr. Steven Plaut teaches at the Graduate School of Business, University of Haifa, Israel.