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.
You are right that France is concerned about their Muslim immigration, and they need us to protect them the way we've protected ourselves and the world. It's the passive nature of the French to look the other way as the Muslim population grows to alarming purportions, and France can't defend itself retroactively.
Screw the French and the German who rode them in.
What ever pleasure that may come from getting back at somebody is short lived. This administration has an agenda. If being nice does not interfere with that agenda, they will be nice. This is not the same as "kiss anyones butt."
Case in point, how this administration has treated his opponents, Democrats in general, and the Kennedys and Clinton in particular.
Many on this forum want to go the scorch earth route, and punish all real and imagine slights. This administration has for the most part taken the high road (publicly).
Why take this approach? First, the President is not a dictator, he needs to convince people that his solutions are the correct one and one way of doing that is presenting his arguments to the public for their support.
Public image is shaped by what? Big media and by one each individual observes on their own.
This administration knew upon entering office, the megaphone of big media would take anything he did or said and give it the most negative spin possible. So by being nice to the Clintons, and the Kennedys (and accepting the French offer at face value) this administration remains above reproach, while behind the scenes where the real work is done, they are doing what they have to do to move their agenda forward.
Are the French sincere, who knows. But if playing kissy face moves the agenda along, why complain?
I belive if President Bush had gone after the Clintons the way many on this forum wanted, that is, if he appeared to be the "mean spirited" Republican that the left paints him as, one of the many manufacturered scandals in the first term could have hurt him, as it is, the American people looked at President Bush, and looked at the Democrats and decided they would believe him over them.
When you take the high road and there comes a time when people must take your word over someone else they will belive you.
The question is whether you would rather move your agenda along towards completion, or get down in the sewer with your opponent. This administration has shown that by not getting down to their level, he is winning.
"It's the passive nature of the French to look the other way as the Muslim population grows to alarming purportions, and France can't defend itself retroactively."
We are just lucky our primary labor importation zone isn't muslim. Our government shows no desire to do so either.
All they can bring to the "partnership" is the whine, the cheese and the white flag.
Maybe they should learn the American practice of using acronyms
YKMA, Michel
Wasn't Chirac facing criminal charges prior to being elected in as Pres?
It's too late to keep helping Saddam, and the fighting and heavy lifting is over.
What can France do that's worth anything? I know sent Iraq all your excess wine!
Not only French wine makers, but French art is in trouble. American galleries aren't moving their French art. And you know the elite liberals didn't boycot French wines or French art. It's the conservatives' power that has brought down Frency exports. Again, power of the masses!
Where's the Coast Guard?
Hint:
It's not the Soviet Union...
if the french really want a fresh breeze to waft over their dealings with the US, they can start taking baths...
"We are just lucky our primary labor importation zone isn't muslim. Our government shows no desire to do so either."
You've got a point there. I'd venture to say our government might as of recent desire to control our borders. We do need to be pro-active in that issue. I can't understand why our government isn't moving on this issue.
Regardless of any repaired relations..........CONTINUE THE BOYCOTT!
I don't think they've been buying the wine, at least not in large quantities. In my opinion, California wines are superior anyway. Sadly though, there are probably just as many nut cases in CA as there in France.
Recycled bull's food.
" Recycled bull's food."
Or..........Ovine Salsa, more commonly known as "Sheep Dip".
And the French have been disloyal to this "alliance" since at least the 1960s.
They need to show they're interesting in rapprochement with some significant acts, not a few words. I'm not holding my breath waiting.
Me. they are not.
There is no money in it.
at sea?
;^)
" I can't understand why our government isn't moving on this issue."
The only thought i have to offer is 'follow the money.' I can only conclude that it is deemed more important to keep fast movement (including illegal) of people, goods, and controlled substance over the border. A genuinely controlled border would make illegal immigration (i.e. entry with neither visa nor passport) much more difficult, greatly slow legal commerce, and greatly impede the importation of substances for one of the biggest retail items in the country.
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