French Policy Under De Gaulle

Archive Report

New Direction of French Foreign Policy

Alliance and Independence, according to Hervé Alphand, French ambassador to the United States, are “the twin concepts which best describe France's policy today.”1 American officials probably would agree with only half of that appraisal. Recent events have left no doubt in Washington of France's determination to play an independent role in world affairs. At the same time, there is growing irritation over French President de Gaulle's unwillingness to help forge stronger links among the Atlantic allies.

De Gaulle's View of American-French Relations

Franco-American relations have worsened to the point where relatively minor disagreements provoke bitter quarreling. While “hardly surprised by the ups and downs of what it is customary [in the United States] to call opinion,” President de Gaulle feels that ...

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