Posted on 08/27/2007 7:23:42 PM PDT by familyop
President Sarkozy called Iran’s nuclear ambition the world’s most dangerous problem yesterday and raised the possibility that the country could be bombed if it persisted in building an atomic weapon.
The French leader used tough language towards Tehran in the first broad survey of his plans for extending Gallic influence in the world since the start of his hyperactive presidency in May. President Sarkozy also gave full backing to Bernard Kouchner, his Foreign Minister, who was forced to apologise yesterday for calling for the replacement of Nouri al-Maliki, the Iraqi Prime Minister.
The biggest challenge to the world was the avoidance of conflict between Islam and the West, President Sarkozy told the annual gathering of French ambassadors. Iran was the crossroads of the Middle East’s troubles and its nuclear aims “are without doubt the most serious crisis that weighs today on the international scene”, he said.
A nuclear-armed Iran would be unacceptable and the world must continue to tighten sanctions while offering incentives to Tehran to halt weapons development, he said. “This initiative is the only one that can enable us to escape an alternative that I say is catastrophic: the Iranian bomb or the bombing of Iran,” he said. He did not say who would carry out such an attack, which has been suggested by policy experts in Israel and the US.
President Sarkozy, the most pro-American French leader for decades, condemned the US invasion of Iraq, but also distanced himself from Mr Chirac’s doctrine of a “multipolar world”, a formula that Washington saw as code for a refusal of European partnership. Where Mr Chirac was careful not to criticise President Putin’s Russia, President Sarkozy said: “Russia is imposing its return on the world scene by using its assets, notably oil and gas, with a certain brutality.”
On Europe, the President seemed to soften his outright hostility to eventual Turkish entry to the Union. He said that France would not block negotiations provided that a high-level “wise men’s group” was appointed to sketch the form that the Union should take. He also demanded that other European nations should contribute more to the Union’s defence to ease the burden on France and Britain.
France’s new foreign policy was symbolised by Dr Kouchner, a left-leaning humanitarian, President Sarkozy said. Dr Kouchner apologised for “interfering in Iraqi affairs in such a direct way” when he appeared to criticise Mr al-Maliki. Dr Kouchner was in trouble over remarks to Newsweek in which he said: “I have just talked to Condoleezza (Secretary of State Rice) by phone and told her: ‘Listen, al-Maliki has to be replaced’.” However, the Minister stuck to his underlying point that many observers believed Mr al-Maliki was unable to impose his leadership on the warring communities.
Lots of tap dancing going on there. But it is refreshing to see the French take the first steps in re-growing a backbone.
Bomb, bomb, bomb
Bomb, bomb Iran
Love,
Barbara Ann
For tap dancing, see the people behind The Times.
He’s the best friend we’ve had in France since the Bourbons!
Iran will be bombed.
Before President Bush leaves office, because of Constitutional stictures.
It is almost safe to start drinking French wine again.
This is still France we’re talking about so does he want someone, anyone, just not France to do the bombing?
I was thinking the same thing. When they have them it’s too late.
Should I start capitalizing french again??????
Please elaborate...
Let’s not get carried away just yet...
I'll wait and see before I go off the deep end again.
I don’t think we’ll have any choice but to bomb Iran before January 20, 2009.
We can not take any chances on the next president to do the right thing, especially a Democrat.
A nuclear armed Iran is TOTALLY unacceptable, and represents a grave danger to the survival of Israel, and perhaps Western Europe as well. Sarkozy knows this, and he will be on board with us all the way if we strike.
Remember, he met with the president just a week ago. I wonder what they talked about.
Are you kidding me? When was the last time a French leader stood up for the ideals of Western civilization? This guy Sarkozy is almost too good to be true !!!
France’s Sarkozy raises prospect of Iran airstrikes
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3442638,00.html
LOL That’s good. Now whenever I hear Barbara Anne I’m gonna be singing that. LOL!
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