The French-American Foundation Weekly Brief

U.S.

The Democrats unveiled their new vision for health care on Thursday. While the bill does not include the touted “‘robust’ public option,” it does include a feature that will prohibit the denial of coverage based on pre-existing conditions, and an expansion of Medicaid. According to The New York Times, Republicans criticized the bill as being “‘costly and unsustainable’.”

On Tuesday, President Obama visited Virginia, where he showed his support for Democratic gubernatorial candidate R. Creigh Deeds. The purple state, which “went Democratic,” during the 2008 Presidential election, is currently showing “55% support for Republican Attorney General Bob McDonnell” and, according to Karl Rove, may be an indicator of a “GOP ‘wave’ in 2010.”

In the midst of uncertainty about the H1N1 Flu, The New York Times reported that several Los Angeles residents showed up for free vaccinations, only to be turned away. Health officials insisted that the vaccinations were strictly intended for children, as a way to conserve the limited amount of available vaccine, and to target the most vulnerable demographic.

In an address to the Council on Foreign Relations on Monday, Senator John Kerry, head of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, warned against “moving ‘too far, too fast’,” in regards to installing more troops in Afghanistan. The Washington Post reported that Kerry wants to hold off until there is more certainty of U.S. military success in the country.

France

Les Echos reported that French agricultural unions responded negatively to President Sarkozy’s “plan d’aide.” The plan would provide 650 million Euros to the industry, but some groups, including the Confédération Paysanne, are not convinced of its efficacy.

The French branch of the Church of Scientology was found guilty of fraud on Tuesday. Two of its former members accused the organization of charging them thousands of Euros for spiritual treatments, according to Reuters. While the organization was fined 600,000 Euros, it will not be disbanded due to French laws protecting legal entities.

Le Monde reported that French Immigration Minister, Eric Besson, will launch debates throughout France next week on the topic of national identity. The upcoming debates have already caused controversy, and have led some to argue that the discussion of national identity has no place in politics.

According to Libération, fans of Michael Jackson waited outside le Grand Rex for several hours in order to get a seat at the Paris premier of “This is It.” The much-anticipated film documents Jackson’s rehearsals for his planned comeback show in London, and also gives a glimpse into the artist’s final days of life.

Business and Economy

Google’s latest advancement will be free GPS service on all of its Android mobile phone systems. According to Bloomberg, the service will create competition for major GPS manufacturers, Garmin and TomTom.

The New York Times reported on Tuesday that, due to the absence of a cost-of-living increase in 2010 Social Security payments, recipients will instead receive a one-time check for $250.

France’s major banks, BNP Paribas, Société Générale, Crédit Agricole and Crédit Mutuel, will pay a combined total of 713 million Euros to the state as interest payment for monies loaned to them during the economic crisis. Simultaneously, a discussion continues about whether or not the banks should also be taxed on profit, as a way to speed up the repayment process.

The French web provider, Free, a division of Iliad, is applying to be France’s “fourth, third-generation” mobile phone service provider, according to The Wall Street Journal. If selected, the company will adopt the name ‘Free Mobile’, but service will not be available until 18 months after licensure. (see also Le Monde)

International

This week, the East Asia Summit was held to discuss ways to make the region “less dependent on exports to the United States.”  Voice of America noted that the meeting also focused on human-rights violations in Burma, one of the sixteen countries involved in the summit.

The upcoming United Nations’ Copenhagen Climate Summit will, in part, address the EU’s plan to reduce “greenhouse gas emissions by 20% by 2020,” according to the BBC. In addition, Reuters reported that several eastern European states oppose the plan, and feel that the “burden-sharing is not acceptable.”

Manfred Nowak, a UN torture investigator, was denied entry into Zimbabwe upon arrival at Harare airport, despite an invitation from government officials. CNN commented that the matter was, in part, a reflection of the country’s lack of political unity.

In an act of sympathy towards Iran, Turkey’s Prime Minister, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, spoke out against the notion that Iran should “abandon its nuclear program.” Instead, he urged Western countries to focus on their own nuclear disarmament, according to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency.