France 's refusal to commit troops to Iraq in 2003 was interpreted as a pacifist doctrine . That 's why France was urging African countries to set up their own forces to support Mali . French foreign policy attempts to balance two sometimes conflicting goals , says Blanquer . He says it has to take into account importance of independence from former colonies . French independence was rejected by most Malians in France , writes Michel .
France 's refusal to commit troops to Iraq in 2003 was interpreted as a pacifist doctrine . French foreign policy attempts to balance two sometimes conflicting goals , says Blanquer . He says it has to take into account importance of independence from former colonies . French independence was rejected by most Malians in France , writes Michel .