French Defense Minister Seeks to Mend Ties with U.S.

The Washington Post ^ | January 16, 2004 | Keith B. Richburg

[Tulsa Brian]

PARIS, Jan. 15 -- French Defense Minister Michele Alliot-Marie, who arrived in Washington Thursday on a mission to mend France's tattered military relations with the United States, said before her departure that the two countries have wide-ranging cooperation and should not "let the trees hide the forest."

"It's true that we had a disagreement with the United States over Iraq," she said in written answers to questions submitted by The Washington Post. Referring to the invasion, she said: "We sincerely thought that it was not the best way. But that represents such a tiny part of our overall relationship. It is really a pity that it caused some people to overlook the important military actions we conduct side-by-side to fight such blights as terrorism or drug-trafficking, to restore peace or reinforce stability."

She noted that French troops continue to operate alongside Americans in Afghanistan and in the Balkans, and that the two countries' navies operate together securing sea lanes in the Indian Ocean.

[Fledermaus]

Yeah, the "best way" in Iraq for the French was to help Saddam up to the actual invasion and overthrow.

Yeah, let them pretend that was just a "small difference" in policy.

Geez. Why do we even maintain ties with these worthless human beings?

[sd-joe]

Let them eat cake.

[clee1]

Note to France: Pi$$ Off!

[NutCrackerBoy]

We want to do our part to keep the peace in our multipolar world. -French Defense Minister Michele Alliot-Marie

Ah, multipolar. They see the world evolving away from bipolar - US and USSR, or unipolar - US alone - towards a multipolar world. Multipolar is fine and dandy if "keeping peace" becomes a more serious and reliable matter. The Iraq response was pure appeasement - that won't do, and many of those countries seem to have no intention of funding defense over the long haul.

[river rat]

Someone should tell the French bitch ....that it will be decades before many Americans will even think about letting France out of the shit-house...

Semper Fi

[Consort]

...MINISTER OF DEFENCE

[sd-joe]

Right. If they say "multipolar" over and over again, maybe it will become reality - NOT.

From her picture, it looks like Michele may be a bit bipolar herself.

"It's true that we had a disagreement with the United States over Iraq,"

"Disagreement"!! Is that French for stabbing in the back.

[Finalapproach29er]

They have hundreds of BILLIONS invested in America.

Don't tell them off,just ignore them as W is doing.

[ODDITHER]

I find it useful when discussing France, to remember lessons I learned in the workplace.

My first supervisory position was in a restaurant. Over time, I noticed that there was two groups that were forming. Each group disliked the other. Except for a few workers, everyone had chosen sides. Of those that were not part of either group, The handicapped worker and the elderly worker were never forced to choose sides by either group. There was just one worker that seemed to be able to be part of both groups.

It wasn't until that worker quit, that everyone realized that she not only was the cause of the two groups, based on starting rumors and passing information back and forth, but she was the driving force of keeping both groups from mending fences. The one worker that both groups trusted the most, was really their worst enemy.

France is just like her. - As long as you realize that France uses everyone, has no loyalty to anyone (not even itself) then you will be able to use France to your advantage.

We must always remember, France never has been, is not now and never will be our friend.

[pogo101]

What is "France"?