Don't hurt us- we're good.

Back to the French again- this time because of a situation that's been forced on them: the two French journalists abducted in Iraq.

The thing that's interesting me is the grandstanding of Chirac and De Villepin.

Chirac says "The whole nation is gathered together because what's at stake is the lives of two French people, the defense of freedom of expression, and also the values of our Republic,"

De Villepin says "France is the country of the French revolution, of human rights," ... "France has never stopped fighting for the freedom of all, for tolerance and the respect of the human being."

When in a tight corner, the French politicians appear to hide behind abstract notions that are highly arguable in the circumstances. Being 'Land of the Free' did not save America from 9/11. Will the French be able to hide behind self-congratulatory rhetoric? What will they give to get their journalists back in one piece? What will Foreign Minister Michel Barnier's approach be as he heads to the region? Apparently he is going to 'coordinate' efforts to secure their release, which presumably means talk to their friends the Syrians and Palestinians, and who knows who else- calling in favours, that kind of thing.

This American Thinker article gives some idea of the state of Franco-Syrian relations, and makes that point that 'France always boasts about being the country of the Human Rights'- a claim the magazine criticises in the Syrian context.

The Islamic group claiming responsibility for this latest abduction calls for a reversal of the headscarf ban due for implementation next week. Will the French stand firm in the light of the fate of Italian journalist Enzo Baldoni, apparently in the same hands, or will they back down on their firm domestic policy? Or will a third thing happen, courtesy of France's entente with Araby?

This seems like quite a big deal to me, at least potentially.