Less than a month after their arrival in Afghanistan, 10 French soldiers were killed August 18 in an ambush set by the Taliban east of Kabul. Apart from the Drakkar attack in Beirut in 1983, these are the heaviest losses the French Army has incurred in a single action since the war in Algeria. They provide the measure of the conflict in which the nation is engaged.

    France has participated since the October 2001 beginning of the operation the United States launched - with the UN's approval and NATO's support - in riposte to the attacks of September 11. That participation, determined by Jacques Chirac and Lionel Jospin, was supported by the virtual totality of political forces in the country and has never been questioned in principle.

    On the other hand, its modalities have been debated. Nicolas Sarkozy's April decision to strengthen the French military presence in Afghanistan, in response to the Allies' - especially American - requests, has been criticized by the left and produced reservations on the right. Units' lack of preparedness, coordination failures within NATO, the Taliban insurgents' determination to target the French newcomers: whatever explanation one settles on, it forces an examination of the choices the head of state and the head of the armies have made.

    By agreeing to take on additional exposure in Afghanistan, the government wanted to raise the level of its solidarity with its allies and deal itself a few trumps to help gain acceptance of its vision of European defense. That policy rests on two solid arguments, but its scope is perilous. Paris had demanded a revision of NATO's strategy - the failure of which is patent. It is past time to proceed to this redefinition of the Alliance's means and objectives.

    The president must explain to the French why their soldiers are dying 6,000 kilometers away from their territory. Beyond the overall objective - the war against terrorism - he must say what the conclusion of a possible victory in Afghanistan would be. Since the revised Constitution gives him the right to address Parliament convened in conference, Mr. Sarkozy commands a ready-made platform from which to speak to the country in its political diversity.

    --------

    Translation: Truthout French language editor Leslie Thatcher.