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Posted on 01/12/2005 9:37:52 AM PST by areafiftyone
PARIS (Reuters) - France called for a new start to relations with the United States on Wednesday after a long chill over the Iraq war and said the countries' leaders should talk more often.
Foreign Minister Michel Barnier made transatlantic relations a priority in a speech outlining his goals in 2005. His comments echoed overtures to Washington by President Jacques Chirac and followed signs that President Bush wants better ties.
"I think 2005 should mark a new start in our relations, between the United States and France and between the United States and Europe," he told reporters gathered at the Foreign Ministry for the minister's traditional New Year greetings.
Barnier, who visited Washington last month, said relations should be based on "listening to each other, having a more regular dialogue and mutual respect." He has said he planned to visit the United States every three to four months.
"I think the NATO summit will be one of the occasions to enter into these new, constructive relations between Europe and the United States," Barnier said, referring to Bush's planned visit to NATO and the European Union on Feb. 22.
U.S.-French relations deteriorated sharply over the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq in 2003, but both presidents have signaled they want to make a new start during Bush's second term and are due to hold talks in Washington in the next few weeks.
Chirac sent Bush a warm personal greeting last week before the U.S. president is sworn in for a second term on Jan. 20. and proposed they work together to make 2005 a year of transatlantic trust and unity.
No date has been set for Chirac's Washington visit but it is expected just before or after Bush's trip to Europe. U.S. officials say both sides want to look ahead, not back.
Strains have also emerged at times in U.S. relations with the EU under Bush, including over Iraq and trade. They averted a legal clash over rivals Airbus and Boeing on Tuesday, agreeing to talks on eliminating subsidies fed to the two plane makers.
DEMOCRACY IN IRAQ
In his speech, Barnier highlighted France's support for the transition to a stable democracy in Iraq on the eve of talks between Chirac and Iraqi President Ghazi al-Yawar.
France hopes the visit will help put relations with Baghdad on a new footing after months of strains. It should have taken place last September but was postponed after the kidnap of two French journalists in Iraq. They were freed last month.
"Despite the violence, despite the dangers, this year should be the year of transition toward a calm situation in which the Iraqi people must regain full control of their sovereignty and destiny with the departure of foreign troops," Barnier said.
He is due to meet Yawar on Friday.
Barnier's other priorities were efforts to secure a peace deal between Israel and the Palestinians, stability in the Balkans and efforts to convince French voters to back the European Constitution in a referendum.
Barnier is expected to make a series of trips within France as part of efforts to explain the constitution to voters and boost the chances of it being approved in the referendum, which Chirac says will be held some time before the summer.
The treaty, intended to make the EU function more smoothly after its expansion, needs the backing of all 25 member states.
Stuff it you frogs.
Nuke Em.
LOL!
Good one!
Hey, I would recognize you two anywhere!
LOL - What's in any NEW relationship for the US. IMO NOTHING so let's just let things be as they are.
Oops. I thought that said "NO relations."
My mistake. NOT!
Dear France, crawl on over and we'll see ...
I think they were counting on a Kerry victory and now they have to rethink their whole strategy in dealing with Bush.
Yeah, right. They should start by all taking baths, then we'll run it up the flagpole and see if it makes a splash, throw it down the well and see if anyone salutes it, our people will get in touch with their people and we'll do lunch sometime. If they need me, I'll be in my car somewhere.
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actually, it's the opposite..the Euro/dollar exhange rate is killing French exports, even without the lack of American interest..and French are coming here in droves to shop and buy property..in NYC, over Christmas, it seemed like every other person on 5th avenue was speaking French..
Like it or not, this is a major policy step for the French to not only acknowledge that there is something wrong, but that they are able to do something to help correct the situation.
19 posted on 01/12/2005 9:44:54 AM PST by July 4th (A vacant lot cancelled out my vote for Bush.)
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The NFL reacted quickly to the Randy Moss "mooning the crowd" incident, threatening action. President George W Bush also weighed in, recommending that Moss be made our Ambassador to France.
Good line. Sadly because of our lousy public schools a lot of young people wouldn't get it.
obviously, the low dollar-high euro is having a huge affect for france to want to normalize relations.
No thanks. France is a weasel, a betrayer of nations (Poland), and can only be counted on to NOT be counted on. France has no credibility on the international stage. Why are we engaged with them in the first place?
We are safer with France as an enemy than as an ally on our flank.
didn't they do that during the campaign and right after the election?
"listening to each other, having a more regular dialogue and mutual respect."
I'm sure this will come as a shock to you, Maurice, but respect is earned. We saved your a$$es three times in the last century, what have you got to say for yourself?
Owl_Eagle
”Guns Before Butter.”
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