Panic at Le Figaro - ANALYSIS

By Leila Tariverdieva, Day.az

The French newspaper Le Figaro, known for its unhealthy sympathies for Armenian separatism, published an article about the sentiments prevailing in the overseas and other colonized territories of France. It just so happens that this topic for Paris is now inseparable from its relations with Baku. And it is not Azerbaijan that is to blame for this, but the excessive self-confidence and arrogance of the French side, which considers itself the center of the universe.

In the way the author approached the topic, there are noticeable notes of panic and recognition of the undoubted success of the steps taken by Azerbaijan. The author seems to be trying to understand the causes and consequences, but it is clear that he is not succeeding. Not because it is impossible, but because the French publication should have approached the issue, although not de jure, but de facto, of the colonies of France objectively. From no other angle can the processes that swirled around the Fifth Republic be assessed correctly. They will still seem to the French to be a conspiracy and interference in internal affairs.

The question is that the territories that are today rebelling against colonial dependence on France should have been decolonized long ago by UN decisions. And Baku does not violate any international norms when defending the rights of New Caledonia. It was Paris that broke them. Apparently, Le Figaro has also begun to guess about something like this.

The publication is reluctant to admit that Baku is acting in such a way that its actions cannot be qualified as interference. This is not stated openly in the article, but is read between the lines.

The following motives are clearly audible. Azerbaijan very skillfully responded to the arrogant attempts of Paris to interfere in its internal affairs and dictate its rules to it. No matter how much French officials waved their arms and eyebrows, Baku did not get scared and did not retreat, but competently conducted diplomacy, and exclusively within the framework of international law. Let us repeat once again: New Caledonia, French Polynesia, and other territories, according to the UN decision, have the right to demand decolonization, and this was not invented by Azerbaijani propaganda. Therefore, there can be no complaints against the Baku Initiative Group. And this, which is very noticeable, greatly saddens the author of the article in Le Figaro. "A direct reference to the Non-Aligned Movement. A structure chaired by Azerbaijan from 2019 to 2024, whose Secretary General is Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev. This organization includes 120 members who consider themselves neither supporting nor opposing any major world power. Baku The initiative group is an emanation of this and is therefore of great importance for representatives of independence movements from the overseas territories of France,” the newspaper writes. 

Le Figaro states that several conferences on the topic of neocolonialism have already been held in international institutions, including at the Geneva office of UNESCO.

And there is something to be upset about. Holding such events at the international level is, of course, bad news for the French side. The fact that the events are being held under the auspices of the Non-Aligned Movement ties Paris's hands. This is not some kind of dinner meeting with the Armenian diaspora, not some behind-the-scenes and behind-the-scenes embrace between France and Armenia, this is open and bold diplomacy based on the principles of international law. No one can oppose the call to fight neo-colonialism. This is a sacred thing. And accusing Baku of manipulation is completely inappropriate here. France itself caused the problems of its colonial dependent territories. Azerbaijan simply pushed the process a little, making it clear to the oppressed peoples that the Non-Aligned Movement is not a meaningless office. NAM can become a real force if its participants begin to realize their interests and stop being afraid to raise their problems with their “suzerains.”

By the way, Le Figaro, perhaps unknowingly, refuted claims that Baku’s actions are retaliation for France’s support for Armenia in its territorial claims to Azerbaijan. To the great surprise of the French publication, the Baku Initiative Group against Neocolonialism even includes members of the Nazione movement for the independence of Corsica. As you know, Corsica has always supported Armenian separatism. We remember what statements were made there during and after the 44-day war. The mayor of the Corsican city of Poggio di Venaco, a member of the Nazione movement and the Baku Initiative Group, Jean-Marc Rodriguez, told the publication: “The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, presented Azerbaijan as a very reliable partner. France bought their gas when it was convenient for them. We take We have been given the opportunity to express ourselves through this group, which helps the non-self-governing territories to follow the process aimed at their decolonization. We are not going to get involved in the conflict between Azerbaijan and France... We do not have bilateral negotiations with Azerbaijan. The Azerbaijanis play the role of a mediator at the UN level, and this is where their mission ends. They know our position on Armenia very well, and there is no ambiguity here.”

That is, members of the Baku Initiative Group are not required to share the position of Azerbaijan and change their principles. Baku simply showed the right road. And those who were smart enough took advantage of the advice.

The following conclusions can be drawn from the publication in Le Figaro.

In France they realized that you cannot take Baku with your bare hands. With the rise of our country's status to a state of medium power, its positioning in the international arena has changed. Azerbaijan today is ready to enter global games, and it has to be taken into account.

And finally, the second conclusion: the Fifth Republic has big problems. If France were a person, we would advise her to see a psychologist. It is clear that Paris wants everything to be “as before”; it wants to feel like it is the master of the situation. But the world is changing, and the French side will have to come to terms with this, then the process will be painless.

Perhaps in the Sixth Republic they will finally come to this simple truth.