Posted on 01/05/2007 6:43:11 AM PST by presidio9
French President Jacques Chirac has unleashed a torrent of criticism against the US-led war in Iraq, saying the conflict, which he fiercely opposed, had boosted the spread of terrorism.
In a wide-ranging New Year's foreign policy speech Friday, Chirac fired a broadside at what he called Washington's "adventure" in the Middle Eastern country, torn by sectarian strife almost four years after the invasion.
"As France had foreseen and feared, the war in Iraq has sparked upheavals that have yet to show their full effects," Chirac told the French diplomatic corps gathered in Paris.
He said the conflict, which the United States still describes as part of the "war on terror" it launched in 2001 following the September 11 attacks, had "offered terrorism a new field for expansion."
Chirac said it had "exacerbated the divisions between communities and threatened the very integrity of Iraq". "It undermined the stability of the entire region, where every country now fears for its security and its independence."
As US President George W. Bush prepares next week to announce a major overhaul in Washington's military strategy in Iraq, Chirac said "the priority, more than ever, is to restore full sovereignty to the Iraqi people."
Although Chirac, at 74, is thought deeply unlikely to stand for a third term in France's presidential elections in April, he has delivered a string of combative New Year's speeches to defend his 12-year legacy and fight off suggestions he is a "lame-duck" president.
The French leader attacked the "pitfalls of unilateralism" in foreign affairs -- a scarcely veiled reference to Washington's decision to launch the Iraq war without United Nations backing.
Chirac said France looked forward to the emergence of a "multipolar" world, as China, India and Brazil take on "the status of global powers", with influence shared between the the old and new giants.
He predicted their "rise will mark the end of the centuries long, undivided Western domination of the world", and hopefully address the "persistence of extreme poverty in a world growing ever richer" -- "a moral scandal as much as an economic absurdity and a major political threat."
Speaking of the broader tensions gripping the Middle East, Chirac made a fresh appeal to Tehran in the standoff over its nuclear programme.
Iran "is feeding the world's apprehension through its proliferation activities and the unacceptable and provocative statements of some of its leaders."
"It is up to it to restore trust through a sovereign gesture," he said, urging Iran to suspend uranium enrichment-related activities and resume talks with the international community.
The UN Security Council voted unanimously on December 23 to impose sanctions on Iran for its refusal to suspend activites which it fears are a cover for nuclear weapons development.
Chirac also renewed a call for an international conference on the Israeli-Palestinian peace process, that would "provide the security guarantees sought by both parties, without dictating the terms of a settlement."
"What still lacks is trust. It is up to the international community to kickstart the process that will allow the restoration of trust."
The French president -- who spoke Thursday with Lebanese Prime Minister Fuad Siniora to organise details of a January 25 Paris aid conference for the war-wracked country -- appealed to the Lebanese people to rally behind the premier and "build their future regardless of outside interference".
Siniora's authority is contested by the Lebanese opposition loyal to Syria, which was the powerbroker in its smaller neighbour for decades until its troops left the country in 2005.
Shut up, Frogboy. You've done nothing but help the islamonazis and their supporters. (I would say Frogman but that would be an insult to my dad, a WWII UDT member, and all the others that served.)
Muslims burning Paris is Bush's fault.
Chirac is all talk. He's almost as mouthy as that nut in Tehran.
This confirms my belief that most of the "blame America" attitude in the world is the result of their failures. Just last week I read the Chirac's approval ratings were way down and the french are tired of him. Lo and behold a comment blaming America oozes out of his mouth.
He's trying to keep Rwanda out of the news cycle.
Chirac is willing to blame anyone but himself for his cowardice and the cowardice and avarice of his country.
Had France and the rest of Europe joined in the war on Terror instead of selling goods and arms to the terrorists the war would be well on the way to being over.
Yeah...Righhhht!...
Like Chirac is anything more than
a stupid, cowaring flunkie..bought
and string pulled by his old soviet
masters.
Every time Chirac opens his mouth, he sticks his big, smelly French foot in it.
Worth repeating. Hey Jack, who has YOUR back?
Bear in mind that when it comes to France Chirac is about as conservative as it gets. If he gets voted out of office, the hard-core socialists take over.
Also, I saw a poll the other day that said that only 27 of French people believe in God/allah.
they're cousins....
of the same family, a product of too much inbreeding
Chirac is only posturing, and he's doing it for two reasons:
1) Another potential run for president (doubtful), and
2) To cover his a$$ so when France is attacked by Al Qaeda he can attempt to "blame it on America."
The last time I looked Chirac's approval rating was in the low 20's. Overall the french hate him, and they are sick and tired of his old rhetoric and lack of action on their struggling economy. French nationalists also distrust him because of his past aggressive push for the adoption of the EU Constitution. The cheese eating surrender monkey is also trying to take some of the air out of his arch enemy Nicolas Sarkozy's campaign for president. Ignore him, he's not worth the effort or the time.
That's funny comming from someone who has done nothign but help thec terrorist himself and ignoring the threat- Hey Chirac- listen to one of your countrymen
Jean Francois Revel diagnosed the democratic disease perfectly when he wrote: “A civilization that feels guilty for everything it is and does will lack the energy and conviction to defend itself.” and then take a look at your own country for an example of what failure to act has gotten you you dolt! http://sacredscoop.com
I guess it's our fault that your "youth" are burning cars in Paris suburbs...
This is drudging up old news Chirac..let's talk about the new news...France being brought up on charges of genocide.
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