A Single Move

226

July 10, 2015

Published in Liberation
(France) on 24 June 2015
by Laurent Joffrin (link to original link to original)

Translated from by Kristin Dale. Edited by Katie Marinello.

Contempt. There is no other word to define the American government’s attitude regarding its allies, and France in particular. By spying over the course of at least six years and three French presidents, against all rules of good conduct between friendly countries, the United States treated France as an infantile nation, whose protests are of no more importance than the whines of a badly behaved child. Not only did they dismiss the successive leaders of the Republic, but they continue to mock them by leaving their large ears on the poorly disguised roof of the American Embassy, whose imperious building is located some 50 meters from the Elysée. They’re a bit like a welcome friend that one surprises while looking into the bedroom through the lock. They have also confirmed that the America of voyeurism, in its all-encompassing power, is capable of listening to anyone on the surface of the earth and that no one, citizen or State, partner or adversary, is shielded from this Orwellian curiosity.

The French government has opportunely raised its voice. What will remain? Promises of better conduct and vague explications that don’t involve any commitment. Should France be satisfied with this, under the pretext of also needing the information coming from the NSA to fight against terrorism? That would go beyond hypocrisy. Also, one should be able to tell a friend off rather than leaving them to settle into an atmosphere of latent distrust. There is another way to acknowledge America’s doings. The beneficial light shed on the questionable practices of the NSA comes from a single courageous man, who has been pursued relentlessly for three years: Edward Snowden, tracked and threatened with life in prison for having told the truth. France would grow taller, and at the same time would send a clear and necessary message to Washington, by granting asylum (to which he is entitled) to this daring whistleblower. In a single move, France would recognize the poor behavior of a patronizing ally at the same time as beginning to regain its place as the homeland of human rights.

Le mépris. Il n’y a pas d’autre mot pour définir l’attitude du gouvernement américain à l’égard de ses alliés et notamment de la France. En espionnant pendant au moins six ans trois présidents français contre toutes les règles de bonne conduite entre pays amis, les Etats-Unis ont traité la France en nation infantile, dont les protestations n’ont pas plus d’importance que les criailleries d’un enfant malpoli. Non seulement ils ont tenu pour quantité négligeable les dirigeants successifs de la République, mais ils continuent à les narguer en laissant pointer leurs grandes oreilles sur le toit mal camouflé de l’ambassade américaine, dont les bâtiments impérieux se situent à quelque 50 mètres… de l’Elysée. Un peu comme un ami invité qu’on surprendrait à regarder dans la chambre à coucher à travers la serrure. Ils ont aussi confirmé que l’Amérique du voyeurisme, dans sa toute-puissance, est capable d’écouter n’importe qui à la surface du globe et que personne, citoyen ou Etat, partenaire ou adversaire, n’est à l’abri de cette curiosité orwellienne.

Le gouvernement français a opportunément haussé le ton. Qu’en restera-t-il ? Des promesses de meilleure conduite, de vagues explications qui n’engagent à rien. La France doit-elle s’en contenter, sous le prétexte qu’elle a aussi besoin des informations émanant de la NSA pour lutter contre le terrorisme ? Ce serait faire assaut de tartufferie. A un ami aussi, on peut dire son fait, au lieu de laisser s’installer un climat de défiance larvée. Il existe un moyen de marquer le coup. La bienfaisante lumière jetée sur les pratiques douteuses de la NSA provient d’un homme seul et courageux, qu’on pourchasse sans relâche depuis trois ans : Edward Snowden, traqué et menacé de la prison à vie pour avoir dit la vérité. La France se grandirait, en même temps qu’elle enverrait un message clair et utile à Washington, en accordant à ce lanceur d’alerte audacieux l’asile auquel il a droit. En un seul geste, elle sanctionnerait la mauvaise manière d’un allié condescendant en même temps qu’elle commencerait de regagner sa place de patrie des droits de l’homme.

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