Ever since he was named Foreign Minister of France eight months ago, Michel Jobert, 52, has been likened to Henry Kissinger. The comparison must titillate his highly developed sense of irony. In fact, Jobert and Kissinger, whose clash last week was the highlight of the NATO foreign ministers' meeting, make a study in contrasts that tells much about the uncertain state of U.S.-European relations. Aside from a few parallels in their careers, the two men are as fundamentally opposed in their views of the world as in their working styles.
Jobert is basically shy, without political ambition, and obviously ill at ease...