Steven Erlanger distinguishes between the French and US roles in Tunisia (and speaks on behalf of the Tunisian people from France)

"France, slow to express support for the Tunisian demonstrators who overthrew its longtime ally, President Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali, is moving to try to pick up the pieces in a country where Paris has deep economic, personal and historical ties.  France has misread Tunisia for years, not just in recent weeks, said Jacques Lanxade, a retired admiral, former military chief of staff and former ambassador to Tunis in the late 1990s.  “Since 2000, people saw the Tunisian regime closing itself into a semidictatorship, but we did not react,” he said. “We continued public support of this regime because of economic interests, because we thought Ben Ali had a role in fighting Islamists.”  But France did not understand how deeply the economic crisis was changing things, and ignored restrictions on the press, Mr. Lanxade said, adding, “We didn’t take account of Tunisian public opinion and thought Ben Ali would re-establish his position.” As the former colonial power, France has complicated relations with Tunisia, as with Morocco, Algeria, Ivory Coast, Guinea and many other African nations. In general, French governments have supported political stability to protect French citizens, companies and economic interests, with little public criticism of dictators. It is a delicate balance for a country that presents itself as the cradle of equality, liberty, human rights and revolution, but that also is trying to reinforce its economic strength in the world."  As if those criticisms don't apply word for word to the US government (successive US administrations).  And then Erlanger says this:  "y contrast, aided by the release of secret memos by WikiLeaks  T, the United States was seen by Tunisians to have made critical statements about corruption and greed in Tunisia. Washington also criticized the crackdown on demonstrators, and President Obama scored with protesters on Friday when he praised their “courage and dignity” and called for fair elections."  This attempt to absolve the US is do dumb: 1) as if Wikileaks were released by the US government itself to enlighten masses around the world; 2) as if these cables were intended for anything beyond classified internal circulation and gossip; 3) as if the the Tunisian people are dumb and can't see the US role in their country and US praise and support for Bin `Ali; 4) as if Obama's lame statements came prior to the flight of Bin `Ali from the country; 5) as if US support for Bin `Ali was less important politically than French support.  Give me a potato, NOW.