what I demand you is almost impossible,
for one has to defeat our history.
and nevertheless,
if one does not defeat it,
one has to know a rule that
imposes itself:
nationalism, this is war!
war is not solely past,
it can be our future,
and these are you,
ladies and gentlemen deputies,
who are the guardians of
our peace,
our security
and our future.
— François Mitterrand, from a lecture at the European Parliament, January 17 1995
