The New York Times
Europe

A Surprising Choice for France’s Foreign Minister

By ELAINE SCIOLINOPublished: May 18, 2007

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In many ways he is the political opposite of his new boss, President Nicolas Sarkozy, who named Mr. Kouchner today to be his foreign minister.

Both are pro-American in outlook, but Mr. Sarkozy is a political conservative while Mr. Kouchner is a man of the left. Mr. Sarkozy opposed the American invasion of Iraq while Mr. Kouchner, unlike most French people anywhere on the spectrum, supported it. Mr. Sarkozy opposes admitting Turkey into the European Union, while Mr. Kouchner is in favor.

“It’s an amazing appointment, a stunning event in French foreign policy,” said Richard C. Holbrooke, the former American ambassador to the United Nations and one of Mr. Kouchner’s closest friends. “He’s motivated by an antitotalitarian drive whether he sees injustice from the left or the right. It will be very positive for U.S.-French relations, because he does not come with a visceral anger towards the American ‘hyperpower.’ ”