Past politics

President Nicolas Sarkozy of France seems intent on criminalising Armenian genocide denial, even after his country's Constitution Council quashed a recent bid.

The Hindu : Opinion / Editorial : Past politics: "France has been dabbling with similar counter-intuitive measures in recent years. Surely, the country's large racial and religious minorities are unlikely to feel reassured by official validations of history. Of material significance would be policies that promote respect for their rights and protect jobs, mitigating a sense of alienation, especially in the current economic crisis gripping Europe."

Surely, the politics behind attempts to deny the horrors of history must be exposed. But to clamp down on such forces betrays an authoritarian and undemocratic tendency inimical to an open polity.

Former England football captain says footballers are overpaid

Times View - Pay reflects demand
Counter View - A sheer travesty

-The Times of India, February 21, 2012

Beyond the Rafale deal

"Given the size of the contract — more than $10 billion, is the largest defence deal struck by India — the acquisition of the Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) was viewed in many quarters as a purchase in which political and strategic considerations would, or even should, play a role. "

It seemed that the technical and commercial factors prevailed over extra-contractual considerations. Since, the selection process was uninfluenced by the United States administration. The Hindu : Opinion / Editorial : Beyond the Rafale deal.

But the decision to buy the fighters could provide the leverage for India to hold France to its promise of increasing cooperation across a whole range of areas, but especially in the nuclear and defence fields, including the greater sharing of technology and expertise.

Since the Nuclear Suppliers Group reneged on its 2008 bargain with India last year by banning the sale of enrichment and reprocessing equipment (ENR) but France, has said it will not be bound by the new restrictions. The French must now be held to their word.