France Leads the Way (by Poor Example)

You'd think that France would be embarrassed.

UNITED NATIONS - Officials here are scrambling to rescue a proposed peacekeeping force designed to enforce a truce in Lebanon, after France stunned Turtle Bay by retreating from its role as leader and would-be "backbone" of the U.N.-led force.

As the Lebanese army yesterday began to deploy in areas in southern Lebanon that were gradually evacuated by Israel, 49 countries, considered candidates to contribute to the enhanced, more "robust" U.N. force, debated how to deploy troops meant to support Beirut. They also hashed out the rules of engagement that would guide their presence there.

The discussion was conducted under a cloud created by President Chirac's announcement in Paris that at this stage his country was willing to commit no more than 200 troops to the proposed U.N. force.

France wants to lead an alternative EU power to balance the US hegemony, yet when they have a chance they get all wobbly kneed. If France is going to be the "backbone" of the UN force, then it appears that the force will resemble a jellyfish.

They do have some forces near Lebanon, but not necessarily to be part of the UN force.

Early yesterday President Chirac released a statement, saying that France at this stage would contribute only 200 engineers to support the 200 French troops already serving as part of UNIFIL, which has been in Lebanon as an interim force since 1978.

According to the statement, 1700 French troops on ships off the Lebanese coast remain ready to assist UNIFIL, although not necessarily under the U.N. flag, as required by the council resolution. It wasn't clear when, or even if, those troops would go on Lebanese soil. No decision has yet been made, and it was not clear when Mr. Chirac would make it, the French official said.

Bangladesh and Italy have offered up more than France. Now the crapeau should be embarrassed.