France rejecting arrogance?

In a report commissioned by French President Nicolas Sarkozy, former Foreign Minister Hubert Vedrine urged a new "modesty" in the country's economic and foreign policy, saying that France somehow had acquired an international reputation for arrogance.

"As surprising as it might seem, just as our country is emerging from a long period of self-doubt and underestimates itself as a 'middle power,' France continues to be perceived as 'arrogant' in a great part of the world," Mr. Vedrine concluded.

Mr. Vedrine noted that the arrogance charge, "anchored in old behaviors and history," is used by France's rivals to contain her foreign policy.

But, the former top diplomat acknowledged that "this perception is widespread even taking that into account."

Mr. Vedrine, a leftist who first dubbed the United States a "hyperpower" during his five years as foreign minister ending in 2002, was tabbed by Mr. Sarkozy in July to take a long look at French policy challenges in the age of globalization.

The 60-page report, released yesterday, said France must end its "sterile distrust" of open markets and globalization, and should undertake a "dynamic offensive" to shape the world economy to play to the country's strengths. [....]

"While we are sincere when we say it, is it really necessary to recall without ceasing that France is the 'birthplace of human rights'?" The United States and Britain have just as good a claim, he noted.

"A little more modesty would be in conformity with reality and would not weaken us at all in our concrete efforts to improve human rights," Mr. Vedrine wrote, adding, "Our capacity to listen [to others] is insufficient."