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Portugal: U.S. 'best way' to have security
U.P.I. ^ | March 10, 2003 | unattributed

Posted on 03/11/2003 12:28:27 AM PST by WaterDragon

LISBON, Portugal, March 10 (UPI) -- Portugal is siding with the United States on Iraq because Washington was "Portugal's best way to ensure national security," a Portuguese Cabinet minister said Monday.

Foreign Minister Antonio Martins da Cruz told state radio that if Portugal were attacked, "it would be unlikely France and Germany would come to our rescue."

His comments to RDP Antena 1 radio were monitored by the British Broadcasting Corp.

He said: "Let us suppose Portugal, proper or its archipelagos, faced a threat, who would come to our rescue? The European Commission, France, Germany?

"I think it would be NATO who would come to our rescue, in other words, it would be the U.S., no one else would defend us. For instance, during the 1996 mission in Bosnia, operations took place with the support of 20 satellites, of which only one was European," and the remainder belonged to the U.S.

"If we were attacked, is that what they would offer to defend us? How curious is this: in Bosnia, when we were called to send soldiers urgently to that region, the U.S. had C-17 and C-130 planes, and France leased ferry boats, which during the summer are employed in tourist services to Corsica.

"Is this how we are supposed to project our forces in Europe? Are they planning to defend us with ferry boats? I cannot envisage the European Commission protecting us from an attack in which highly developed weapons were employed," the foreign minister said.


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Extended News; Foreign Affairs; Government
KEYWORDS: eu; ferryboats; portugal; us; weaselnavy
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1 posted on 03/11/2003 12:28:27 AM PST by WaterDragon
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To: WaterDragon
"Are they planning to defend us with ferry boats?"

LOL!
2 posted on 03/11/2003 12:34:25 AM PST by Texas_Jarhead
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To: Texas_Jarhead
And President Chirac wants to mano a mano with President Bush at the UN. <sarcasm We'll be glad to pit our aircraft carriers against France's ferry boats any time.
3 posted on 03/11/2003 12:36:34 AM PST by goldstategop
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To: WaterDragon
I'm glad to hear some logic from the other European leaders.
4 posted on 03/11/2003 12:37:52 AM PST by walden
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To: Texas_Jarhead
France is a very sick country.

There are really great people there, but they make up only a solid minority, maybe 'round 20% of the country.

The thing to understand about France, is that it suffers from manic depression; the French, in general, cannot get through the day without a couple serious mood swings.

Trouble is, the swings can get out of control, because the only medicine has been, war, which administers a dose of reality.

5 posted on 03/11/2003 12:40:03 AM PST by First_Salute
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To: First_Salute
Sounds a lot like Canada...
6 posted on 03/11/2003 12:53:04 AM PST by ECM
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To: WaterDragon
... He said: "Let us suppose Portugal, proper or its archipelagos, faced a threat, who would come to our rescue? The European Commission, France, Germany? ...

Are they planning to defend us with ferry boats?

Whee haw!!! Go get 'em, Portugal! This is telling it like it is. I guess they are going to be the next country the clueless French are going to say have exceedingly "bad manners", etc.

7 posted on 03/11/2003 1:12:44 AM PST by AFPhys
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To: WaterDragon
Ahhhh...if only my Azorian grandparents were alive to see this! Their last vote was for Ron Reagan. I am one proud half-Portagee!
8 posted on 03/11/2003 1:15:49 AM PST by dasboot
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To: dasboot
BTW...Portuguese red wine (Caves St Joao comes to mind) is high in tannin, absurdly astringent, and oh so much superior to that pretentious, girlie Bordeux, at a fraction of the price.

The Azores and the mainland are the best value for the dollar if you're a tourist; and the folks there don't empty your hand of money when you buy something for which you can't figure the price....as the French do. They carefully prune the money owed them from the offered wad....and give you your change , with a smile. Green wine; Fado; lush mountains, crystal cold spring-fed streams.

9 posted on 03/11/2003 1:24:56 AM PST by dasboot
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To: WaterDragon
The "Mouse" roars.........

10 posted on 03/11/2003 1:33:44 AM PST by hmmmmm
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To: Texas_Jarhead

The Good         The Bad







11 posted on 03/11/2003 1:42:46 AM PST by paul544 (Wow, it does work.)
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To: dasboot
Portuguese cuisine, on the other hand...

I mean, how many different bacalhao meals can you sample before you feel you've had enough?

Maybe I've been to the wrong Portuguese restaurants, but variety does not seem to be highly prized by Portuguese chefs.
12 posted on 03/11/2003 1:54:00 AM PST by tictoc
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To: tictoc
Yep. No argument. Never get the Red Fish.
13 posted on 03/11/2003 2:11:02 AM PST by dasboot
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To: Texas_Jarhead
"Are they planning to defend us with ferry boats?"

Or fairies? What a slap at the yellow matter French. And the johnny come lately toothless krauts.
14 posted on 03/11/2003 3:04:19 AM PST by jwh_Denver
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To: tictoc
You have been to the wrong Portuguese restaurants.

The other great Portuguese product if you can find it, is a really good old Portuguese brandy.

15 posted on 03/11/2003 4:13:13 AM PST by AndyJackson
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To: WaterDragon
Bravo! I am so glad our true friends are standing by us during this dark period, we shall never forget who they are...

Anzar made a similar argument yesterday...if USA feels isolated and goto its isolationalist history, the world will be a much more dangerous place...(recall USA did not participate in WWI till 1917, and WWII till dec 1941)..


I esp. apprecipate the ferry baat case...lol..
16 posted on 03/11/2003 4:15:59 AM PST by FRgal4u
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To: WaterDragon
Foreign Minister Antonio Martins da Cruz told state radio that if Portugal were attacked, "it would be unlikely France and Germany would come to our rescue."

Thank God much of Europe DOES get it.

'Ta Bom, meus amigos, vamos construir nossa futuro junto...

(Cool, y'all. We'll build the future together.)

17 posted on 03/11/2003 4:27:20 AM PST by Caipirabob (Democrats.. Socialists..Commies..Traitors...Who can tell the difference?)
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To: AndyJackson
You have been to the wrong Portuguese restaurants

You torture me!

Where?

18 posted on 03/11/2003 4:47:35 AM PST by tictoc
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To: Texas_Jarhead
"fairy boats"

Sounds like the french navy all right.

19 posted on 03/11/2003 4:51:44 AM PST by cynicom
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To: tictoc
Where?

Very sadly - Portugal, where I spent some time in a former life.

20 posted on 03/11/2003 4:35:38 PM PST by AndyJackson
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