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  French Elite on Trial: The Sordid Tale of 'Angolagate'

French Elite on Trial The Sordid Tale of 'Angolagate'

By Stefan Simons in Paris

Part 3: All the Defendants Have 'Clean Consciences'

His business partner Falcone and their political helpers remained behind in France, where they now face six weeks of questioning. Dressed in expensive suits, quiet, stoic or smirking, they put their supposedly clean consciences on display -- just as they make a point of flaunting their lapels, decorated with the highest honors of the Republic.

Mitterrand's son Jean-Christophe, released on bail, sees himself as the victim of a hate-filled judge, and Pasqua suspects that the charges are nothing but "a political revenge campaign" launched by his archenemy, former President Jacques Chirac. The satirical weekly newspaper Le Canard enchaîné was probably not too far off when it concluded that the trial was put in motion to spoil Pasqua's chances of winning the presidency back in 2002.

All of the defendants in this case are claiming to be victims. Even arms dealer Falcone insists that he is innocent and is being persecuted. He is a man with a clean conscience, he says, and even though he is in the business of selling guns and grenade launchers, he insists that he has always dealt only with a "legitimate government." Falcone is quick to add that he also organized "shipments of medicines" and sent "trucks containing food" into the crisis region.

It is, however, by no means the case that the mammoth trial in Paris, which is expected to take close to half a year to complete, is a sign that a new France plans to settle scores with the corrupt, old France. On the contrary, the Angolagate trial also troubles the new government.

The court's review of the unsavory practices of the past is in conflict with President Sarkozy's plan to anchor France's long-term economic interests in Angola. Energy companies like Total are betting on the exploitation of oil reserves in this new, booming country. When he paid a visit to his Angolan counterpart Dos Santos in Luanda in May, Sarkozy said that he wanted to "turn the page on the misunderstandings of the past."

After Sarkozy's return to Paris, the Defense Ministry received orders to deal with the scandal before the trial could begin. In a letter to the attorneys for defendant Falcone, Defense Ministry lawyers provided arguments that could be used to defuse the charges of "illegal arms trading." Because the weapons did not cross French territory, the argument went, the laws of the Republic could "not be applied to the activities of Mr. Falcone." Falcone's defense attorneys promptly, but unsuccessfully, argued, in the relevant criminal court that the court was handling a case that has become meaningless, as a result of the minister's letter.

The government's move was not the only attempt to delay the trial. Angola, though not directly involved in the litigation, argued in court for a suspension of the trial. Because the court is handling documents that affect Angola's national security interests, a representative of the African nation said, "public discussion" of the classified facts of the case should not be considered.

So far the presiding judge, Jean-Baptiste Parlos, has not allowed himself to be swayed by either the political pressures or the many petitions from 60 high-profile defense lawyers. Nevertheless, there is still the chance that, in a case the French paper Le Monde calls a "Trial of Titans," the government will in the end prevail over the judiciary.

Next April, Sarkozy plans to host Angolan President Dos Santos in Paris. According to a diplomat at the Foreign Ministry, "Angolagate must be settled by then."

Translated from the German by Christopher Sultan