The Secretary of State Is Under a Spell

Bernard Kouchner expresses his enthusiasm for America and his new president.

LJDC: I’m assuming you watched Barack Obama’s election live?

BK: Just like anyone else, I felt an immense emotion, a deep bond with Americans. Something special and international happened with Obama. It’s the first time that so many populations are identified with such a wonderful candidate. A Black man, a heir of the Civil Rights. His extraordinary talent will reconciliate us with America, and America will get reconciliated with itself. Honestly, I’m very happy to say: it’s great, my candidate has won! Of course, needless to add that if McCain had gained victory, we would have worked with him as well.

LJDC: How do you value the racial factor in this election?

BK: Yes, he is Black, racially mixed actually, but he didn’t win because he’s Black. He won because he is a good man, elegant, smart, modern, open to discussions, sensitive. A simple example: when his grandmother passed away, he weeped. This exceptionnally modern character personifies the best regarding worldwide feelings, he has everything to be liked. America was hurt for many years by racism, this country really went through hard times, it now has showed that it can turn its back on this. A new impulse is about to start, whereas we haven’t even reached such a level in France.

LJDC: He cleverly showed himself as a man of assembling, a symbol of the American unity…

BK: Yes, he does. His message is a message of reconciliation. According to him, there aren’t two clans fighting against each other. Moreover, he will seriously have to dialogue with everyone to face a complicated situation: the United States are confronted to two major crisises, an internal one at the economic level, and an international one–in particular the wars with Iraq and Afghanistan.

“Not Followers”

LJDC: What about his relationship with France?

BK: It seems to me that Nicolas Sarlozy and Barack Obama have a bit of a common style. They belong to the same generation, they have the same attraction to risks, a way of taking upon themselves contradictions and of expressing themselves openly.

LJDC: He will defend the American stakes though…

BK: Sure, but let’s not forget that the American stakes are part of the world, which means a change in politics, and he’s definitely going to give politics a new breath. America, the most powerful country in the whole world, is entrusted with a mission. The new president won’t fail. He won’t deviate from his responsibilities, but he will defend the USA and dialogue with Europe and Asia, as well as with developing countries.

LJDC: Don’t you think that having such a high opinion of him could someday lead to disappointment?

BK: And what if he hadn’t been elected? There will for sure be no magic at all. Difficulties haven’t disappeared. Every risky step is likely to generate disappointment. We will be partners, but not followers though. We’re going to forward him our schedule for a new partnership. We’re going to work with Americans in a different way than we used to. It’s a great hope for me.