(French) Minister seeks closer ties to U.S.

Washington Times ^ | 1/17/04 | David R. Sands

[kattracks]

French Defense Minister Michele Alliot-Marie said yesterday that "certain radical neoconservative ideas" are driving a wedge between Europe and the United States at a time when the trans-Atlantic alliance must be strengthened in the face of common threats.

In remarks at the end of a two-day fence-mending visit to Washington, Mrs. Alliot-Marie conceded that 2003 was a difficult time for Franco-American relations, but said Paris had been unfairly "stigmatized" as a "strategic adversary of the United States."

[goldstategop]

The Eurotrash pansy waisted French Defense Minister can go back to Paris. Scram!

[Belisaurius]

As if the French know anything about Democracy.

[Old Sarge]

Let Them Eat (yellow)Cake!

[pt17]

Mrs. Alliot-Marie conceded that 2003 was a difficult time for Franco-American relations, but said Paris had been unfairly "stigmatized" as a "strategic adversary of the United States."

France has been a strategic adversary of the U. S. for decades and should be considered so going into the future.

[patj]

certain radical neoconservative ideas"

I wonder what those ideas are. Maybe she means the idea that we can get along fine without France. That we can vacation without going to Paris. That we can find fine wine to drink that isn't French.

As an aside; what are neoconservative ideas that are being talked of here? Do they mean going back to conservative roots? How then the "neo"? It is a conundrum.

[SubMareener]

"certain radical neoconservative ideas"

Remember, for these folks, neoconservitive is a code word for Jewish.

Jews in America used to be staunch supporters of the Communist party, (even thought, in the Venona Intercepts, the Soviet code name for them was RATS) and the Democrat Party (if you can tell the difference these days). But some of them realized the Communists and Democrats were not their friends, and joined the real world. That is why they are called "neo". Because they are newly escaped for the bondage of Leftist Political Correctness (another Communist concept, now prevalent in our country).

[swilhelm73]

Breaking out my liberal to English dictionary we translate;

"certain radical neoconservative ideas"

to;

certain radical jewish ideas

Oh those wacky French. If they aren't winking at anti-semitic violence at home they are b*tching about supposed Jewish conspiracies abroad.

[patj]

Thanks. That, at least, makes sense.

[Principled]

La Frog said, " Paris had been unfairly "stigmatized" as a "strategic adversary of the United States."

Unfairly? France IS a strategic ENEMY of the United States.

[risk]

Bon Jour, AF - is this French Defense Minister Michele Alliot-Marie a cabinet level appointment? When President Chirac takes his leave from office will there be an opportunity for fresh viewpoints?

Imagine a world where France, Japan, Spain, Italy, Poland, and America stand together against all threats to democracy. You know, with Neocon resolve.

[thoughtomator]

The Vast Right Wing Conspiracy strikes again!

[trebb]

Gee, and they said President Bush would have to go to France, hat-in-hand; look who's begging now Mom...

[gaspar]

Alliot-Marie's claim that Paris had been unfairly stigmatized, and that its cooperation with the USA was quite apparent, was belied by her examples of cooperation which were both laughably weak and passe. Her indulgence in an oblique neoconservative-bashing pleased the gathering of "intellectual" hoi-polloi, but just saying things does not make them so. Grade: C

[Rockitz]

Dear Minister Alliot-Marie,

Too late a$$hole.

Regards,

W

[etcetera]

"She said France might consider training Iraqi soldiers and policemen as part of its contribution."

Uh, I don't think the Iraqis want surrender lessons.

[Arpege92]

"La Frog..."

LOL....too funny!!!!!

[Mr. Mojo]

"certain radical neoconservative ideas"

Like deposing a murderer/dictator who has destabilized (to put mildly) a region vital to American interests? Yeah, real radical.

[Principled]

Yes, not "Le Frog"... i had some middle school French!!

[Atlantic Friend]

Sorry to reply late ! The weekend has been hectic here, and I did not log in at all.

Yes, Michele Alliot-Marie is a cabinet member, with the full rank of Defense Minister. She's a tough gal, and seems to be doing a nice job of putting the army back into shape, with some financial help from the Prime Minister. We have, at a smaller scale, the same problem the USA have : over-stretching the forces. When you take the ground troops deployed in African countries, plus the French "Blue Helmets" under UN command, that does not leave much at home. Our logistics have to be improved, too, as are our transportation assets to project a militarily credible force overseas. I feel confident we can have both the men and the weapons necessary, the only question will be giving such a force the political green light.

As for Chirac, there are talks about him trying to stay in office 5 more years ! I hope the party leaders will present someone else, maybe Sarkozy.