Land For Peace: The French Solution

By: Steven Plaut

Published: March 21st, 2003

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So France is now leading the Solidarity with Saddam movement in Europe. This, of
course, is on top of France's long history of supporting Islamist fascism and Palestinian terrorism.

During a trip to Israel a few years back, French prime minister Lionel Jospin urged Israel
to make concessions for peace. More interesting yet, in documents relating to his visit, Jerusalem
was called the “capital of the Palestinian Authority.” And what does he consider the capital of
Israel? Tel Aviv, of course.

Jospin?s trip followed by a few years one made by President Jacques Chirac, who used
the occasion of his visit to announce that “Syria has a moral right to demand return of the Golan
Heights.”

These French politicians may be on to something important. Never one to back down
from a challenge, I have prepared a set of proposals for consideration by the French people, so
that not only can they preserve peace in the Persian Gulf, but they too can achieve a full, lasting,
and just peace with their historical opponents.

First, we all agree that territory must not be annexed by force. Therefore, we can also
agree that Germany has a moral right to demand the return of Alsace-Lorraine, for the French
aggression in 1945 and its consequent occupation must not be rewarded. “A full withdrawal for
full peace” should operate here.

Further, France must agree to the return and rehabilitation of all ethnic Germans expelled
from Alsace-Lorraine after World Wars I and II, as well as all those they define as their

descendants.

But this, of course, is just the first step toward a solution, as no aggression can be
rewarded ? and France has much other stolen territory to return. It took Corsica from Genoa,
Nice and Savoy from Piedmont; as the successor state, Italy must get back all these lands.

By similar token, territories grabbed from the Hapsburgs go back to Austria, including

Franche-Comt, Artois, and historic Burgundy. The Roussillon area (along the Pyrenees) must be
returned to Spain, its rightful owner. And Normandy, Anjou, Aquitaine, and Gascony must be
returned to their rightful owners, the British royal family.

Not even this not enough for the sake of peace, though. Brittany and Languedoc must

be granted autonomy at once, recognizing the Breton and Occitan Liberation organizations as
their legal rulers. This leaves the French government in control over the le de France (the area
around Paris).

Even that, however, still does not solve the problem of the Holy City of Paris, sacred to
artists, gourmets, and adulterers. The Corsicans obviously have a claim to the Tomb of the
Emperor Napoleon, their famed son, as well as the Invalides complex and beyond. For the sake
of peace, is it not too much to ask that Paris be the capital for two peoples? The French

authorities must agree to prevent French Parisians from even entering the sacred tomb area, lest
this upset the Corsicans.

The Saint Chapelle and the Church of Notre Dame of course will be internationalized,
under joint Vatican-art historical auspices. Indeed, the French should consider it a compliment of
the highest order that so many people see Paris as an international city.

The French have nothing to complain about. They will enjoy the benefits of peace and
retain control of the Champs Elysees.

Actually, come to think of it, even the Champs Elysees may be too much. Recalling the
French position that Jerusalem is not the capital of Israel, perhaps the true French capital is not
Paris at all, but Vichy.

Steven Plaut teaches at the University of Haifa and is author of ?The Scout,? available
through Amazon.com. He can be contacted at: Steven_Plaut@yahoo.com