As requested :
Our contributor Bernard Grua demonstrates how, in the Mistral ships affair, the Kremlin managed to spawn a rumor &
manipulate part of the French public opinion.
The kids tale of the sinking at high seas of the Vladivostok/Sevastopol BPCs is concrete example of the way the Kremlin uses its (dis)information networks and local relays to slant the public opinion in a way
that favors it while creating opportunities for its support in France.
Birth of a rumor.
On May 6th, Sputnik, information media of the Kremlin, said : "Paris could destroy the Mistrals ordered by
Moscow.". The piece sketched a broad view of the saga unrelated to its title. It simply quoted 2 sentences out of a Figaro newspaper article :
"Paris is looking into the destruction of the Vladivostock & Sevastopol Command and Projection vessels in case of non-delivery to Moscow. The ships could be sunk at sea."
Figaro judged this hypothesis improbable at best which Sputnik conveniently omitted. In addition, Sputnik
gave the source as "a French Army officer concerned by the deal" whereas the paper cited anonymous sources not necessarily military and in any case not official. The tale was launched.
Other newspapers then took over the dining story citing Sputnik. The same day, TASS, also a Kremlin information media, reports in English on the scuttling. TASS adds that another solution envisioned by Paris is to destroy the ships. Despite the main text adding nuances to the effect that these options are not really considered, social media fire up, share and spread, commenting without specifying details.
Russia Today is just as expeditive : "France is about to sink the Mistrals". The usual gimmick gears up.
Both the Ukrainian and British press follow suite.
A mere textbook possibility that the original piece negated has in less than 24 hours become a rumor
that will stabilize in the uniformed discussions. Many relays make sure it lasts. The conspiracy theory
sites and extremist blogs will pick up the message. Sputnik will lead the charge. A rumor is soon to be
considered a truth evoked by France.
On May 7th, Sputnik wonders out loud : "Will the undelivered BPCs be sunk?"
Front National help.
Sputnik, preferred channel of Kremlin " infos " often gives time to the FN ( far right ) party. In reverse, the FN regularly uses Sputnik to justify its rhetoric. Sputnik will explain on the 8th of May, relying on FN local elected official Gauthier Bouchet that sinking the BPCs could provoke social tensions. And the FN based on Sputnik publishes : "G. Bouchet : Scuttling the Mistrals could heighten soil tensions in Saint-Nazaire." ( where they were built ).
The 10th, Sputnik comes back to it : "Mistrals : Doomed to sink. Ready to go down." Their site adds : "The Americans could force the French to sink their own ships." Still based on and quoting that 5 days old Figaro article which did not validate the option. Repeated enough, a lie becomes truth.
On the 17th, Sputnik gives official approval to this untruth. They mention Admiral Bernard Rogel, French Navy Chief of Staff without revealing what he exactly said to the renowned Le Monde newspaper as he announced that "France did not need those made for Russia vessels". Soon after they subtitle : "The French brass thinks the LHDs should be sunk". Of course, no quote is attributed
to anyone. So that the reader may believe it is uttered by the Chief of Staff. Sputnik will cross that line
the same day in its German language edition : ""Französischer Admiral zu Mistral-Affäre: Versenkung wäre die beste Lösung" -A French admiral thinks scuttling is the best option-.
By the 19th of May, Sputnik asks : "Is the Mistral saga near an end?" and quotes the Right Wing Youth
leader Pierre Gentillet. "Scuttling the BPCs would be a failure. Before thinking what to do if the ships
are not delivered, we should hope for a later date deal." Of course, one can now wonder if sending the
vessels to Moscow would not
in fine be a better solution than paying back Russia and destroying them
as most people now believe will happen!
On the 20th, Sputnik then writes that they "are in permanent contact with the whole Brittany section of
the FN, Jean-Claude Blanchard, Christian Bouchet and other personalities". That day in Saint-Nazaire,
the party outs a communique : "The mosy likely solution at this point is to sink the ships at sea which
would cost France around 20 million Euros". And finally on May 22nd :
"Sign the petition to lift sanctions and allow the Mistral delivery to Russia."
This is a clear cut example of the talent and media logistics of Moscow's propaganda channels to steer
foreign public opinions and even media in a sense that favors the Kremlin. It confirms that any
information related to Russia should be strongly subject to caution.
By Bernard Grua, spokesperson for the "No Mistrals for Putin" collective.
Sabordage des Mistral: "Comment les médias français ont été manipulés" - L'Express
Tay transl.
