René Couanau, the mayor of Saint-Malo in Bretegne had this to say on the anniversary of his town's liberation:

LA CITÉ D'ALETH DÉLIVRE SON MESSAGE DE PAIX
[THE CITY OF ALETH DELIVERS ITS MESSAGE OF PEACE]

SAINT-MALO 18 août 2006 (maville.com) - Hier matin, lors de la commémoration, le maire a été inspiré par l'actualité.

« Comment nos pensées ne se tourneraient-elles pas aussi vers le Liban, où combattants et civils affrontent les mêmes épreuves, sous le regard du monde entier · », a déclaré René Couanau.

« Nous sommes en communion avec les hommes, les femmes et les enfants qui, à des kilomètres d'ici, mais si proches médiatiquement, revivent les mêmes heures de bombardements, de souffrances, de deuils et d'humiliations. »

[Yesterday morning, during the commemoration, the mayor was inspired by the headlines.

"How could our thoughts not now turn to Lebanon, where combatants and civilians endure the same test, in view of the whole world [?]”, said René Couanau. “We are one with the men, women, and children who -- though they are many kilometers from here are so close in spirit -- must endure the same long bombardment, suffering, mourning and humiliation."]

[Hat tip: Joe Noory at ¡No Pasarán!]

As so often with the French, it's not immediately clear what M. Couanau is saying. He appears to be expressing that infamous French solidarity -- here with Hizballah, the terrorist organization that occupies the south of Lebanon. M. Couanau thus commemorates the liberation of France by condemning the liberation of Lebanon, Which is to say condemning Israel. Alas, M. Couanau's thoughts have no time to turn to the targeted civilians in Haifa, Kiryat Shmona, Nahariya and Safed.

And just what humiliation was inflicted on Saint-Malo by its liberators is unclear. Unless M. Couanau means a nation that has surrendered and shopped itself humiliated by the restoration of its sovereignty.

M. Couanau commemorates not so much his city's liberation as the French ambivalence to that liberation. We do well to remember much of France did not welcome or assist her liberators. Le Maréchal, a man of little imagination, advised the French to play the percentages.

Frenchmen,

Do not aggravate our misfortune by acts which risk bringing tragic reprisals upon you. It will be the innocent French population which will suffer the consequences.

Do not listen to those who are looking to exploit our distress, who would lead the country to disaster. France will not be saved except by observing the most rigorous discipline. Obey the orders of the Government. That each may stand firm beside his duty.

The circumstances of battle will lead the German army to take special measures in the zones of combat. Accept this necessity. It is one constant recommendation I make to you in the interest of your safety.

I urge you, Frenchmen, to think again of the mortal peril which would face our country if this signal warning was not heard.

Ah, France. Free or owned, always betting the wrong horse.

PFFT (What is this?): Grateful France ½ | Empathetic France 3¾ | Wrong horse 5 | Rayonnement français 0