Posted on 02/08/2005 4:05:44 PM PST by Aussie Dasher
US SECRETARY of State Condoleezza Rice has called for a "new chapter" in relations with Europe after a rift over the Iraq war and began repairing ties with France, one of the biggest critics of the conflict.
Ms Rice pointedly made the appeal in Paris during an eight-nation tour, underlining the message that President George W. Bush wants Europe to be a partner and not a rival. Calling each other "Michel" and "Condi" at a joint news conference, Ms Rice and French Foreign Minister Michel Barnier pledged to give US-French relations a new start and emphasised areas of cooperation rather than strains.
"It is time to turn away from the disagreements of the past. It is time to open a new chapter in our relationship and a new chapter in our alliance," Ms Rice said in a speech to students and academics at Paris's prestigious Sciences Politiques university.
"America stands ready to work with Europe on our common agenda and Europe must stand ready to work with America," said Ms Rice, a former university provost.
She made Paris the venue for the main speech of her tour to show Europe that the Bush administration has ended an internal debate about whether to view a united Europe as a rival or as a partner, a senior US official said.
She chose to make the speech at the university because it has been at the centre of intellectual and political debate over transatlantic ties.
Ms Rice was greeted by warm applause and, although she appeared nervous and delivered the speech with little flair, she did not face a grilling in questions after the speech.
"When we disagreed, we still disagreed as friends," she said of relations with France. Later, standing beside Mr Barnier at their news conference, she said: "When the United States and France work together there's a great deal we can achieve."
Gentler rhetoric
Trying out his English, which he is brushing up, Mr Barnier said: "Chere Condi, it's time for a fresh start."
Underlining the desire for reconciliation, French President Jacques Chirac - who met Rice but did not speak to reporters - is due to meet Mr Bush for dinner in Brussels on February 21st and will soon visit Washington.
A French government source also said Washington had agreed to hand over to France its last three citizens held by US forces at Guantanamo Bay in Cuba. This would remove one obstacle to better ties, but French officials did not confirm the deal.
Mr Barnier and Ms Rice underlined cooperation in regional conflicts such as Afghanistan and Kosovo before starting talks, and avoided mention of their differences over Iraq.
Mr Barnier did, however, call for US support in trying to persuade Iran to give up its nuclear programme, which Washington says is aimed at developing nuclear arms. Iran denies this.
Ms Rice took a tough line against Iran, saying it must not be allowed to dictate terms for proving it is meeting pledges not to produce a nuclear arsenal. A trio of European countries are holding talks with Iran but Washington is not taking part.
Ms Rice has chosen mainly to underline shared values with Europe rather than potentially divisive issues on her first trip as the top US diplomat.
don't speak latin......
After 200+ years as an ally, France chose to stand with their new ally, Saddam Hussein and actively work against America.
Now that Saddam is no longer able to pay Chirq and his cronies, now they want to forget Saddam and want to be friends with America again.
No Thanks!
Many Americans feel betrayed by Chiraq and his cronies.
It may take decades to heal the betrayal. Perhaps the healing will only start when America is able to return the knife France left in our back.
I personally supported and continue to support the war against terror.
What I've read on this thread, except for a few posts, were low attacks against people one never met, not against French politics - which I found despicable. It reminded me similar attacks against Jews, right out of the "protocols" hoax(I am Jewish, BTW)
Criticise Chirac politics as much as you want, as I'm doing myself, but don't use racist stereotype against the French, or any other nation, for that matter
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