New French foreign minister seeks good ties with US (Surrender Monkey Alert)

Arab Times/Reuters ^ | 13th June 2005 | Reuters

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PARIS (Reuters) - France's new foreign minister pledged in comments published on Monday to press on with recent efforts to improve relations with the United States after the chill caused by the Iraq war.

In a wide-ranging interview with Le Figaro newspaper, Philippe Douste-Blazy signalled no major change in foreign policy following his appointment on June 3, despite French voters' rejection of the European Union constitution on May 29.

Relations with Washington became strained when Dominique de Villepin, who is now France's prime minister, led opposition to the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq in 2003. But ties began improving under Douste-Blazy's predecessor, Michel Barnier.

"I will go to the United States soon to voice the friendship that unites our two people and to discuss all the things we are doing and can do together," Douste-Blazy told Le Figaro. He gave no date for the visit.

"I want to pursue the constructive work of my predecessors and to maintain regular dialogue which does not rule out frankness."

Echoing language used by Barnier when he was foreign minister, he said good cooperation with the United States did not mean Washington and Paris had to agree on everything.

"Our relationship of friendship with the United States is deep and old. But this friendship does not mean subordination," he said. "Because we share the same values we can allow ourselves to have ideas of the world that sometimes differ."

Douste-Blazy's clearest remarks on relations with the United States since he took office underlined continuity and appeared designed to comfort Washington, although no big changes had been expected because President Jacques Chirac shapes foreign policy.

Douste-Blazy said France's close partnership with Germany remained a key pillar of policy after French and Dutch voters' rejection of the EU constitution, intended to help the bloc run smoothly following its enlargement to 25 member states.

France has said other countries should continue the process of ratifying the EU constitution, but Douste-Blazy said Paris would not try to dictate terms to others.

"Each member state must be able to carry out its procedure as it sees fit," he said.

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Echoing language used by Barnier when he was foreign minister, he said good cooperation with the United States did not mean Washington and Paris had to agree on everything.[...]no big changes had been expected because President Jacques Chirac shapes foreign policy.

Nothing has changed really. Can the frog name one issue on which his govt. agrees with the US?

[asp1]

Relations MAY improve when Chirac is gone, but I doubt it. I cannot see the French and Americans embracing any time soon. Too much anger, too much distrust, too much water under the bridge. Too bad.

[headsonpikes]

Phillippe Douste-Blazy can parlez the froggy talk and walkez the froggy walk, but he's no Dominique de Villepin!

Now, there was a French Foreign Minister!

[GVnana]

He's still working for Chirac and de Villepin. No dice.

[advance_copy]

France is watching the German people move toward better relations with the U.S. and they'll follow. Angela Merkel is going to win the 2005 German election and she will be a far better friend for us than Schroeder. Here's some background:

In late 2002, she braved criticism in Germany by backing US President George W. Bush over the Iraq war while being careful never to call for German troops to be sent to Iraq.

[SMARTY]

The wholesale moral capitulation of the French is long standing and something the French miss NO opportunity to re iterate for the world.

W. Churchill was right, 'France is a disgrace'.


Their arrogant, equivocating, petty and self-important temporizing over all and sundry issues has fairly earned them the disgust of the world. They only and ever had any significance in world affairs because of their geographic prominence in Europe ...and even that they cast away with both hands after two world wars. (You will recall, they would not even ratify the EDF in '54- a sign of things to come)

Since then, the French 'bent over' for Socialism. A tough act to follow, but they have outdone even themselves in their hearty encouragement and acceptance of Islam.

[LonePalm]

The signature block says it all.

Il n'y a pas d'honte être français. Il y a seulement l'honte dans rester de français.
(There is no shame in being French. There is only shame in staying French.)
LonePalm, le Républicain du verre cassé (The Broken Glass Republican)

[Malesherbes]

I agree with Headsonpikes. I really miss old Vile Pain as Foreign Minister. Such panache! Such good hair!

[guitfiddlist]

"Because we share the same values we can allow ourselves to have ideas of the world that sometimes differ."

I imagine their internal discussions might have gone like:

"Monsieurs...bad news, it seems that stinky cheese, overpriced wine, and a penchant for backstabbing appeasement are admired by only half the American people, and they're the ones not in power."

[reagan_fanatic]

Let's see, how do you word a diplomatic response that says

'SCREW YOU'?

[Bean Counter]

Something stirs in the East....

A sleepless malice....

[river rat]

Fruck the Fench..

Semper Fi

[Earthdweller]