USSR 1991

However, after decades, these people would rather kneel to the West than live with dignity.

"Democracy and freedom cannot give them a handout, but the Soviet Union provided them with real bread and equal rights."

Yanayev was disappointed, so don't blame him for being cruel.

"We gave these people everything they ever wanted, if the answer these idiots gave us was independence."

Because of what Yanayev said next, Surkov's face turned pale.

"Our tank road wheels, the first one will not agree."

Yanayev's ominous prophecy was finally verified four days later.

French Overseas Territories Minister François Barouin made a tentative contact with the US Secretary of State when he visited Washington.The topic was of course about France's ambition to create its own economic and trade circle, the Union for the Mediterranean.

As early as the Barcelona meeting on November 1995, 11, the so-called Barcelona process was established, that is, the European Union and the countries along the Mediterranean Sea - Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia, Cyprus, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Malta, Syria, Turkey, etc. 27 countries in North Africa and the Middle East, as well as the Palestinian National Authority, have established cooperative relations in the fields of economy, energy, immigration, and democracy, and the long-term goal is to establish a free trade area between the European Union and Mediterranean countries by 11.France intends to use the EU's free ride to build its own small circle.After all, most of the countries along the Mediterranean Sea were once his colonies after independence.

At that time, Germany set a very high threshold for the conditions proposed by France, just not wanting these people to take advantage of the loopholes.

But now it seems that it is time for France to get rid of the EU and go it alone.

The content of this meeting is confidential, and French President Jacques Chirac secretly instructed Barouan to test the attitude of the United States, and then give himself an accurate message.

Although Cole hopes that France can take on the pillar of the EU and survive the "most dangerous winter" before he solves the messy situation in the country, Chirac knows well that this time the EU may not have much time.It is better to take this opportunity to change a ship, such as the Union for the Mediterranean, which has been negotiating.

Of course, there are also very troublesome problems. It is impossible for France to bear the huge funds for maintaining the operation of the alliance alone, and it has to rely on the financial support of the European Union. Therefore, this "Mediterranean Union" is actually an "alliance within the alliance" under the framework of the European Union.Under the "Barcelona Process", the three major southern European countries, France, Italy and Spain, are the main promoters of the mechanism, while under the "Mediterranean Union", it is dominated by France.

Jacques Chirac's small calculations are clearly seen in the eyes of Americans.Mario has also discussed this plan with his international advisers and the Minister of Finance, whether to involve himself in the Mediterranean Union.

This is why they want to negotiate with the French. This move may be the last straw that crushes the EU.

France has many ideas in the blueprint of the Barcelona process, including imitating the model of the European Investment Bank to establish the Mediterranean Investment Bank to provide loan support for the development projects of Mediterranean countries; to form a nuclear energy agency, with France providing intellectual support in nuclear energy; to establish a "Mediterranean investment bank". "University" for cultural exchange between regions; create an environmental agency to monitor water quality and use of other resources.

Madeleine crossed her left leg, confidently exposing the scars of the United States.

"France is the only one that dominates the Union of the Mediterranean. Therefore, when the Union of the Mediterranean was proposed, it not only aroused the resentment of other member states in the EU, but also did not please the North African countries that France values."

The European Union poured cold water on the idea of ​​the "Mediterranean Union", believing that it would bring additional financial burdens to the EU and cause overlapping and bloated EU institutions.Germany has previously questioned that France's Mediterranean alliance is suspected of splitting the European Union, and worries that Germany's influence in Central Europe will be weakened.

All in all, the Union for the Mediterranean was a small contest with France and Germany behind the scenes.

However, Germany was unlucky, and the division of East Germany was spread out, which caused great damage to its vitality.Coupled with the stabbing in the back of the UK before, it has reached a precarious situation.

"Is there any benefit from the US side?" Minister Baruan asked vigilantly.Dealing with the United States is tantamount to a silent war.

"Of course there will be. We can provide the financial support you need in France. Aren't you always worried that France can't bear the huge load?"

Madeleine approached the other party, "Then the United States will provide you with this opportunity. The European Investment Bank and the World Bank Organization will give you loans to lay the foundation for the preliminary project. If the follow-up situation is good, we can also share the investment with France. funds."

"Conditions?" Baluan asked directly. He would never believe that there is a free lunch in the world.

The corners of Madeleine's mouth were drawn slightly, and she said with a smile, "It's very simple."

"The condition is, let the United States join your Club Med."

"Share this circle together."

Chapter 8 and Four of the Fallen Glory

"This condition is a little difficult to accept, because this is a French circle, and we cannot accept the intervention of the United States. And it is still a French-dominated circle, so it is not good for the United States to be the provider of funds?"

There is no such thing as a free lunch, and Baruan immediately heard the true intentions behind the Americans.

This was originally a small calculation of the French government. Another way to continue to exploit the colonies along the Mediterranean Sea, but if the Americans intervene, it is tantamount to forcibly taking a share of the pie.This is something that the French cannot tolerate.Chirac was ready to eat alone when he worked so hard to use EU funds to enrich his small circle.

Now the Americans want to rely on the World Bank and the International Fund to forcibly change the rules of the game, which is simply killing them.Conversations between Barouin and Madeleine diverge over whether the United States should also forcefully join the French interests.

Among the European countries, France has never waited for the intervention of the United States. They uphold the proud tradition of the European continental powers and believe that France's policy should be based on its own position, rather than letting the United States and NATO dictate to itself. It is also because of this that France withdrew from NATO After the military integration, it feels that it has been restrained everywhere.

This is the price they paid. When all European countries surrender to the United States, the centrifugal policy seems a bit out of date.

Baluan was a little embarrassed, he didn't expect to encounter such a difficult problem at the beginning.But Madeleine didn't seem to care about the embarrassment of the French, but seemed a bit understated.

"It doesn't matter, France can think about it, maybe you will change your mind? Americans are very patient..."

"What's more, the Union for the Mediterranean is not something that can be settled in a short while. This is a long-term multilateral trade cooperation dialogue, but the issue of funding is the primary issue restricting development."

What she didn't say was that you French were not impatient.

The American pinpointed the lifeline of France because he knew what the other party cared about most, money.

President Mario discussed this matter with Madeleine at the White House before. They believed that if they want to get tickets to the French club, they must encourage Britain and Germany to put pressure on it. The two countries are firmly opposed to France. Mediterranean Union.Unable to withstand the pressure, Chirac will naturally give in to the other party's demands and let the United States join their club.

"As a loyal ally of France, the United States is fully capable of persuading obstacles from third parties. This is our guarantee of strength."

Madeleine's performance was elegant and decent, and she said very calmly, "We can also encourage third parties to strengthen their opposition to France."

"So the French side still wants to forcibly exclude the United States?"

Baluan understood that the United States had already made two-handed preparations.If they are not allowed to participate, then the other party would rather spoil France's ambitions than to want to see a powerful and ambitious regional organization appear again after the European Union.In addition, they have always liked to adopt insurance double-sided measures: temptation and coercion.

Chirac, as the president who inherited the legacy of Charles de Gaulle, of course also inherited the centrifuge policy of implementing France as the mainstay.He cannot bow to the American threat, but he will not allow the Americans to control the organization they have worked so hard to build.

The first meeting ended badly.

The two parties were unable to reach an agreement on the actual controller of the organization.

After the meeting, Barrouan dialed the French president's landline to tell him the sad news.

"President Chirac, I am very sorry. The Americans are unwilling to reach a compromise on the issue of the actual controller. Although we exchanged views, the arrogant and rude United States still rejected our request. And the United States also proposed to use the international Financial organizations, come and figure out for themselves."

"I see."

Chirac didn't give any instructions to Baluan, but just hung up the phone silently.

He turned around and said to Prime Minister Jospin beside him, "What do you think about this?"

"The Americans must never get involved. This is our bottom line. An organization dominated by France should not have the presence of the United States."

Chirac nodded, "We think so too, but now Germany is facing a collapse, and France is unable to support the overall situation alone. So the Mediterranean Union is our only hope. As long as this plan can be fully launched, Then there is no need to act according to the face of the Germans."

Jospin shook his head and sighed, "It's very difficult. First of all, there are many oppositions within the EU. We cannot pass this proposal on the grounds of expanding trade, and Western European countries have raised the entry threshold for Eastern Europe, let alone Our former Mediterranean colony."

"Then what should we do?" Chirac glared at him helplessly. "Could it be that this plan died just like that? Since the era of Charles de Gaulle, we have planned to build a great circle and return to the glory of the colonial era."

The Mediterranean Sea, the Suez Canal, and the Red Sea have become the most convenient sea routes in the world.

Therefore, the importance of the Mediterranean Sea to France and even Europe is invaluable.More than 70.00% of the total oil imported from Western Europe is transported through this channel.The Mediterranean has an extremely important strategic position in economy, politics and military.For a long time, the Mediterranean has become a place of contention among the great powers.Since World War II, the U.S. Sixth Fleet has been based in the Mediterranean Sea, and fleets from other Western countries have also cruised in this sea area. In terms of the number of ships, today's Mediterranean Sea has become the sea area with the highest concentration of warships of Western military powers.