Posted on 02/07/2005 7:44:09 AM PST by metalmanx2j
PARIS (Reuters) - France wants a fresh start in relations with the United States and both sides have much to contribute to a renewed transatlantic partnership, Foreign Minister Michel Barnier said in comments published Monday.
He made the remarks before a visit to Paris Tuesday by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice (news - web sites) aimed in part at repairing ties damaged by the U.S.-led war in Iraq (news - web sites), which France opposed.
"The moment has come for a fresh start in our relations," Barnier said in an interview with the French daily Liberation which was conducted late last week.
"Alliance doesn't signify allegiance," he said, underlining the need for a mutual partnership. "A renewed transatlantic alliance must be based on two pillars (European and American)."
His remarks were the latest sign since President Bush (news - web sites)'s re-election of a desire for rapprochement between the Cold War-era allies.
Bush has invited French President Jacques Chirac to Washington and the two leaders are due to dine together in Brussels on Feb. 21 before a NATO (news - web sites) summit.
Recent statements from both sides have underlined the positive rather than the negative in relations, and Rice has chosen Paris as the venue for a keynote speech during her first tour of Europe and the Middle East as secretary of state.
"The question is not to know what we can bring to the United States, or what they can bring us. The question is what we can do together to solve problems," Barnier said, citing problems including terrorism, hunger and the situation in Afghanistan (news - web sites).
Barnier, who like Rice was visiting the Middle East on Monday for talks on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, defended negotiations by Britain, France and Germany over Iran's nuclear program but called for U.S. support.
"We have no illusions and are moving forward with open eyes with the Iranians. But to succeed we need American support. I have the impression listening to President Bush, who has strongly criticized Tehran, that he would wish to have confidence in Europe (over the talks)," he said.
The EU is trying to persuade Iran to turn a temporary freeze on sensitive nuclear work, such as uranium enrichment, into permanent cessation in return for economic and political incentives.
Washington accuses Iran of seeking to develop a nuclear bomb but Rice has sought to ease fears of a possible U.S. attack. Iran says its nuclear program is to generate electricity.
France was encouraged by the election in Iraq on Jan. 30 and by a "renewed determination" in Bush's efforts over the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Barnier said.
But Washington must understand the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is central and there will be no progress toward democracy in the Middle East unless it is addressed, he said.
What the frick CAN France bring to this "partnership"?
F FRANCE
I suggest they start by going to Hell.
France can start by swallowing its arrogance, and meeting the US at least half way.
The French will never quit bad-mouthing Americans.
Whoever that guy is he talks like a Democrats and we see how that's been going!~}
Guess they think if they say this enough that something will happen. Rots of ruck.
"What the frick CAN France bring to this 'partnership'?"
Bad odor!
Screw vous
Wine and cheese.
The Wisdom of Madamoiselle Secretary Rice
I was going to suggest they start by kissing our a$$.
Well, I guess that's on the way down.
I think that in their own way, they are.
Fresh start in relations with the old world whore-nation? Eeewwww!
"I was going to suggest they start by kissing our a$$."
"a$$es" as in plural. Gonna take a long time to kiss that many.
I don't.....
Why don't you ever see that the damaged ties between "Old Europe" and the us was in truth over the Iraq war AND the subsequent ending of the OIL for food Program? That was the real rub. They lost SUPER$$ when that piggy bank was closed!
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