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.
Well, since "alliance doesn't signify allegiance", I guess the French haven't changed after all!!
Personally, I would never form a close association with a person or group that did not feel loyal to me. How can one party ally itself with another if one of the parties, from the beginning, insists on disloyalty as a condition??
fresh start 'till next time. eh jacques?
the fact is France knows it needs the US. France burned the bridge, not the US. And the US is going to take the high road, rise above it, and reach out the olive branch.
French weiners. Fops!
Let them eat cake.
Shove it France.
Has France seen the light? Have they figured out that an Iran w/ Nukes can't strike the US but they CAN nail France and Isreal?
We don't need their stinkin Brie, we also don't need their bloody stab us in the back mentality. What has France got to offer us other than a stratgic alliance against Iran and scattered Humanitarian aie to other Nations?? Not much.
As long as the Worm is running the country, there will be no real ally in France to the USA.
great minds think alike ~ see my #26
Don't you just love it when, with the re-election of George Bush in the bag, "Old" Europe starts to eat crow ?
Yum - nothing like watching the French eat a warm serving of crow !!
I think it's what the Europeans call realpolitik.
Now all Bush has to do is stand his ground.
Let them eat cake!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ditto, and off with their heads for good measure.
or in French, say it this way: embrassez mon âne!
Excellent, Zacs Mom. Thanks for the visual translation!
Typical. They start with demands.
I don't know french politics, but I do suspect there is a split in the french government about how to deal with the united states. Chirac may personify the element that knee-jerk reacts by opposing the US, selling to us adversaries, selling anti-tank missiles to iraq (or at least providing them for testing), etc.
Surely there are more rational elements that are VERY concerned about their own backyard and muslim immigration/integration issues and find the focus on opposing the US to be very counterproductive.
I hope we dont forget what they did,ZERO NOTHING.
Here's the caption in French: La France peut embrasser tous nos behinds roses attrayants !
Hmmmm... maybe this is a signal that Chirac has agreed to take a shower before having dinner with Bush.
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