In normal times, inspections by the French and British of each other’s vessels, fishing or otherwise, is usually a routine activity that is in the interest of both countries. These are historic allies and neighbors who are linked by geography and a shared ethos that values democracy, respect for the rule of law, liberty, freedom of speech, a laissez-faire economy and respect
It would do us well to take Putin’s words with full seriousness and avoid staining human history with another world war. Faced with increasing pressure to dissolve the five member UN Security Council, President Putin warned on October 21: “If we remove the veto right of the permanent members, the UN would die the very same day – it would turn into the League of Nations. It would simply become a discussion platform”. As walls separating east and west along Manichean Cold War lines of “democratic/free” vs “authoritarian/enslaved” are quickly being erected before our eyes, it is worth pondering not only the deeper … Continue reading →
Dispatch: French bristle at talk of Falklands on our doorstep as fishermen put brave face on Brexit
French condemn Channel gunboat threat as small fishermen fear the worst in case of no-deal but industry insists UK will be the big losers
18 December 2020 • 8:14pm
Britain is set to dispatch four Royal Navy ships to patrol UK waters
Credit: Laurent Villeret / Dolce vita
Sitting in his office by the northern French port of Boulogne-sur-mer, mayor Frédéric Cuvillier called for calm.
“Do you really want a Falklands war on your doorstep in Guernsey or Jersey?,” he asked.
“Talk of gunboats may flatter the jingoistic ego on either side of the Channel but it will not help us reach a deal, he said.