As Irish troops prepare to deploy to Chad, as part of the EUFOR mission, there has been some media discussion of the role of France in that country. These arguments raise bigger issues about French foreign policy and Europe’s CFSP.

But first, I have not posted much for a while, so here are some brief updates on the Irish debate.

Irish Countdown

The Government is now hinting that the first week of June is one likely period for the referendum on the Lisbon Treaty. It will also separate the EU vote from two other referenda issues (both concerned with the rights of children).

Complex Situation in Chad 

As Irish troops prepare to deploy to Chad, as part of the EUFOR mission, there has been some media discussion of the role of France in that country. There are French forces with EUFOR. There are also French troops in Chad as part of France’s longstanding strategic relationship with Ndjamena, indeed with francophone Africa as a whole. Rebels may not distinguish between EUFOR and the main French forces.

 France, EUFOR and Chad

More fundamentally, of course, is the question of whether EUFOr will also be serving French strategic interests. Its main purpose will be to protect innocent refugees. But, one of the consequences of that role will be to constrain the rebels. Indeed, a writer in the French weekly, Nouvel Observateur, pointed out that the recent rebel onslaught on Ndjamena happened before the arrival of EUFOR, precisely because EUFOR was seen as restricting their freedom of action in future.

I am sure that many EUFOR commanders will not want to be seen in this light. This is not their policy. And, so it isn’t. The problem is that perceptions are all-important. France was slow to counter the recent rebel advance. Perhaps it is fearful of getting drawn into a firefight. Taking sides recently cost France dearly in the conflict in Cote d’Ivoire.

What has this to do with Lisbon?

A Common Security Policy?

Only a handful of European states have global foreign policy ambitions. Britain’s can be channelled through NATO and its special relationship with the United States. France’s goal of challenging the Americans, though softened a little under Sarkozy, can only be pursued through the European Union. And yet, despite its Europeanist credentials, its nuclear force de frappe   …. and Africa  … are France’s great national projects. So, an EU foreign and security policy  will easily become, perhaps inevitably become, a hostage to France’s national interest.

How do we limit this potential pitfall?

One way is to coalesce against French interests in the elaboration of Europe’s foreign policy stance.

The other way is to limit Europe’s capacity for a common foreign and security policy of any kind.

This latter option is controversial. But it deserves a hearing. It will be taken up agin in future posts.