With one or two infamous exceptions, French presidents generally have observed a studied neutrality on the subject of Quebec independence. But studied neutrality does not befit Mr. Sarkozy's outspoken personality. On Monday, on the occasion of presenting Quebec Premier Jean Charest with France's Legion d'honneur medal, the French President delivered an extemporaneous monologue denouncing the prospect of Canada falling to pieces.
"Do you really believe that the world, with the [unprecedented] economic crisis that it is going through, needs division? Need hatred?" he asked. "Those who do not understand [the need for unity], I do not think they have understood the message of the Francophonie -- the universal values we share in Quebec as in France: the rejection of sectarianism, the rejection of division, the refusal to retreat into oneself."
The statement grew angry reactions from separatists, who accused the man of being under the thrall of Power Corp. chairman Paul Desmarais and other influential federalists. Parti Quebecois opposition critic for international relations, Louise Beaudoin, declared that Mr. Sarkozy was "displaying a profound lack of understanding" of her province. "Someone has whispered a song in his ear that is totally different from reality," added Gerald Larose, president of national i s t group Conseil de la souverainete du Quebec. "If there is sectarianism, it is not in Quebec. If there is aggressivity, it is not in Quebec."
Actually, we think Mr. Sarkozy understands Quebec just fine -- much better, in fact, than radical Quebec separatists, whose political monomania blinds them to the political reality in their own backyard. Most Quebecers share the French President's federalist leanings. And even many Quebec nationalists are loath to fling the province into a period of political uncertainty at a time when the continent's financial markets are reeling.
What's more, we think Mr. Sarkozy is well-justified in casting his objection in terms of "the rejection of sectarianism, the rejection of division, the refusal to retreat into oneself." As residents of Canada's most left-leaning province, Quebecers tend to share the multilateral, internationalist values that animate the United Nations and European Union. Given this -- and the European trend toward more integration, not less -- it must seem odd for a Parisian visitor to hear Quebec separatists sound off like cranky, go-it-alone nativists. This incongruity explains why Mr. Sarkozy seemed so exasperated at separatists when he made his comments.
I echo President Sarkozy's sentiment: Get a grip, separatistes. Realize how good you have it as part of the dominion of Canada. Understand that what you deign as attacks on your culture will not diminish if you become a separate state. And clue in that fanning the flames of racial bigotry doesn't help you, it hurts you.
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