Too bad you can't get a picture into your tagline....
(looks kinda like John Kerry...)
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.
"I believe that they are not really interested in good graces, as much as it is concerned about the all mighty dollar...."
Exactly. The French want to keep us around to protect their pansy behinds.
Sorry about the double post........
My co-workers go to Europe all the time. One even married a Swiss and now lives in Geneva. So I hear from them "Oh, Europeans hate Americans." "Europeans think Americans are so stupid, so conventional."
What have we ever done to them? They're a bunch of spoiled, limp wristed, yellow livered fops.
Sure, but we write the terms of this new start.
I would NOT allow the sacrifice of my son's life for them.
Bottom line......it's jealousy. God has blessed us and we are a great nation. Yes we have our problems...mainly liberals. But we are the best thing going.
I like North Carolina wines. /shamelss plug
I've never tried the Washington and Oregon wines, thanks for the tip.
Virginia wines have improved a lot over the years. I particularly like the Barboursville Vineyard's chardonnay, White Hall reds, and as a Virginian, Grey Ghost. There is the Gabriele Rausse Vineyard, new to me and I haven't sampled their offerings, but I understand the wines are excellent.
I had some quite good wines on Long Island. Very surprising. I wanted to reciprocate, but unfortunately, New York will not allow wines shipped from Virginia. Too bad.
You are very correct. With the wonderful wines available produced here, France can keep their product.
ummm... see my tag line
Agree with your tag line.
Too bad you can't get a picture into your tagline....
(looks kinda like John Kerry...)
You just said "kiss my donkey". "Embrassez mon cue" works much better.
Looks exactly like Kerry.
Don't mind the French, their new white flags are coming out this week and they're just making a fuss over it. Surrender drills will be on display in the annual surrender parade coming up in March.
Forgive the Russians / Ignore the Germans / Punish the FrenchThe Wisdom of Madamoiselle Secretary Rice
And don't you know that that's exactly what happened?
The Russians were forgiven. Vladimir Putin has gotten away with murder. You'll recall the leak about the SPETZNAZ company that sanitized that Iraqi ammo dump in the last weeks before the war began? Well, as Fat Clemenza said of Paulie, "Oh, Paulie? Won't see him no more!"
The Germans were ignored. Now, Schroeder is dancing around Rice's ankles like a little puppy.
The French were punished by being ruthlessly disregarded and then, by virtue of the success of Iraq's elections, were forced to come crawling back to Bush. Do not be mistaken by Rice's going to them; this is a climbdown from Chirac's ultramontaine stance.
BTW, anyone know when Rice is giving her speech in Paris?
Be Seeing You,
Chris
Embrace my cue?
What is cue in French?
It's slang French for the word you meant to say when you wrote "ane" which actually means donkey in English but does not mean that other word in French. ;)
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