Regards, Ivan
Posted on 07/01/2004 3:50:01 PM PDT by MadIvan
“SUMMITS made simple: a guide for reporters”. First find Jacques Chirac. Next invite him to comment on the British position. Bingo. You have yourself a story. That begins: “Europe was divided tonight after President Chirac said . . .” That’s how I was taught to report gatherings of international leaders.
Whether at a Nato, EU or G8 summit it’s advice that has never let me down. Thus it was this week in Istanbul. And two weeks ago in Brussels. And the week before that in Georgia. Plus ça change, plus c’est la même chose as they say. Well, not quite. In my early summit-watching days France’s President caused trouble from a position of strength. These past few weeks he’s looked like a man losing the argument and the plot. Story 1: Chirac attacks Britain for thwarting Europe’s ambitions in the haggling over a new constitution. Story 2: Chirac bullies the EU’s new member states to back his candidate for president of the European Commission. Story 3: Chirac insists Nato should play no role in Iraq or Afghanistan.
Three good stories. Three defeats for Chirac. Three causes for celebration by Team Blair. Until now they have held back from crowing for fear that the French Government, like its football team, might at the last minute snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. Not any more.
Chirac is “raging at the dying of the light”, one senior figure told me this week after a long month of summiteering. My source hoped that this old man would soon “go gentle into that good night”. Blairites date the French President’s defeats and rages to what they call “le row”. This is not the fight over Iraq but the spat a couple of years ago over the Common Agricultural Policy. Mr Blair told the President that he couldn’t call for compassion to Africa while also refusing to reform the CAP. Chirac complained that he had never been treated so rudely. It was the first of several Blair victories over Chirac.
The more honest of the Prime Minister’s friends admit that this owes as much to John Major’s negotiation as their own. It was he who first fought for EU expansion against French resistance. He predicted it would alter the character of the EU and Nato. It has. Chirac risks appearing to be on the wrong side of history.
We may be celebrating the Entente Cordiale but, thanks to the British, he’s not all right, Jacques.
Regards, Ivan
Ping!
BTTT
I'm not sure if that's the best line or the opening paragraph is.
Now thats what I call a repost to the Stench of the French!!!
Chirac always turns down a perfectly good opportunity to shut up.
When Bush is re-elected, Chirac will behave like an isolated maniac. Maybe that is what is on track. The newly formed government in Iraq will quickly view France as an enemy of their people.
Chirac does have a variation of “foot in mouth” problem in that ever time he talks his arrogance destroys his own position ..a very French trait….. more then “foot in mouth” it’s the Frog’s eating there own legs
He and Al Gore share the same comedic timing...
>.Chirac risks appearing to be on the wrong side of history. <<
What do they mean 'appearing' to be on the wrong side of history? Quite obvious to me!
They stole the election again!
I am Shocked___Shocked.
Hasn't it been that way since the UK dug the French out of WWII?
When we see this kind of behavior [Chirac's] in African "leaders", it is usually attributed to syphllis.
HA! Chirac has only succeeded in one thing.....making france irrelevant.
" rages against the dying of the light "
I can't but help to think of Rodney Dangerfield whenever I read or hear that verse.
Let's quit wasting our time and money on France...send them a message...either get with it or go find another nipple to suck on...enough is enough!
He's lived past his usefulness.
Chirac has been a lackey of Saddam for so long, that seeing him on trial has fried what remains of his brain.
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