The trend to diminish tensions between France and the United States is making its way to the local arena.
A bill to annul French President Jacques Chirac’s invitation to the bicentennial celebration of the Louisiana Purchase died in committee during the legislative session Monday.
“I just don’t think it’s appropriate for the president of France to come over here and raise the flag,” said State Rep. A.G. Crowe, R-Slidell, who initiated the bill.
Crowe said he still stands behind the idea of his bill, but now that leaders of both nations are communicating more since the war with Iraq, he does not see the necessity to pursue his initial goal.
“Now that the war is over, Chirac is trying to make amends with the US,” Crowe said. “I will let the bill die in committee and not pursue it further.”
Crowe said he initiated the bill because his nephew is fighting in Iraq. Chirac refused to be an ally in the war, and Crowe said he wanted to bring the issue to the forefront.
Many Louisiana residents agreed with Crowe’s anti-Chirac feeling, Crowe said.
“Ninety percent of the people who called and e-mailed me were in total support of the bill,” Crowe said.
At the time of its initiation, the bill sparked dialogue and debate between the French and Americans around the state and campus.
Carole Salmon, who is from France and a Ph.D. candidate in French studies, said while anti-French sentiment was harsh a couple of months ago, it has died down a bit over time.
“French-bashing is less heavy than it was during the war,” Salmon said. “I haven’t gotten any French-bashing emails lately.”
Crowe’s bill was short sighted, Salmon said.
“It is pretty stupid when people don’t think about the future,” Salmon said. “A person’s thoughts should go further than the preoccupations of the moment.”
Crowe said because the bill died in committee, it is now up to President Bush to decide whether to invite Chirac to the bicentennial.
Though the bill initially lead to two-sided debate among politicians, including some running for governor, the anti-French issue will not be a campaign issue, said Lt. Governor Kathleen Blanco’s campaign office.
Salmon said the fact the bill was even brought about was bad diplomacy.
“Diplomacy is about being patient and remembering,” she said. “The bill revealed a great lack of diplomacy within the government.”