Aunty approves as Macron forgets Nazi collaborators and US allies to slap down Trump
ABC News online, November 12:
French President (Emmanuel) Macron has warned of the dangers of nationalism … in a message seemingly directed … (at Donald) Trump, (saying) “The old demons are rising again, ready to wreak chaos and death.” … (When nations decide) “who cares about the others”, they “erase the most precious thing a nation can have … its moral values … The lessons we draw from the Great War cannot be … allowing the past to be forgotten.”
Forgetting the past? Henry Samuel, The Telegraph, November 7:
Emmanuel Macron has drawn fierce criticism over plans to celebrate Nazi collaborator Philippe Petain’s role as a “great soldier” in … World War (I).
Forgetting the past? James McAuley, Washington Post, November 8:
Amid a torrent of criticism, the Elysee was forced … (to backtrack) from the President’s words … (and assert) that Petain would not be honoured.
Dog-whistling to the Nazis? David Bell, Foreign Policy,November 9:
On its own initiative, (under the leadership of Petain) Vichy hunted down members of the Resistance, passed anti-Semitic legislation and … rounded up … 76,000 Jews for deportation to Nazi camps, the great majority of whom were killed … In an era of a resurgent French far-Right, did Macron intend his comments as a dog whistle … to the 34 per cent of the electorate who supported the National Front’s Marine Le Pen … that he sympathises with their vision of history?
Surprising? Raphaelle Desmoulieres, Le Monde, November 10:
(French) Prime Minister Edouard Philippe expressed alarm at the sharp rise in anti-Semitic acts … (which) increased by more than 69 per cent in the first nine months of 2018.
Macron not blamed? Jacques Mandelbaum, Le Monde, November 10:
The Vienna International Film Festival … (has shown 12 films in a program) entitled “Jewish Worlds in German-language Mute Cinema” … Seeing these films, in Vienna, today … (makes) one think of the way in which the new Austrian coalition government, through its policies and its language on refugees, is reviving the ghost of Austro-fascism … The terrifying scene of slaughter in a synagogue (in 1903) … superimposes itself on images of the Pittsburgh massacre.
Forgetting key ally? David Chazan, The Telegraph, November 11:
On Tuesday, Mr Macron … warned of well-armed and “re-emerging authoritarian powers” on Europe’s borders and cyber attacks. “We have to protect ourselves with respect to China, Russia and even the United States of America,” he said.
Trump tweets, November 10:
President Macron of France has just suggested that Europe build its own military in order to protect itself from the US, China and Russia. Very insulting, but perhaps should first pay its fair share of NATO, which the US subsidises greatly!
Who’s bellicose? Conor Duffy, ABC’s North American correspondent, November 12:
Like the hangover from a Contiki tour … Trump has again emerged drained from transatlantic travel … (He) arrived on the continent delivering (a) bellicose tweet in response to le provocation … (of Macron) suggesting some form of pan-European cyber defence against (the US. Macron gave Trump) a verbal slap down … (calling) nationalism … a betrayal of patriotism … (Trump calls) himself a proud nationalist … It makes the … reference all the more pointed, and leaves little doubt who it was intended to slight.