French minister blasts Washington's "Texan" foreign policy

AFP ^ | 2/20/2002 | AFP

[l33t]

Another French minister blasted US foreign policy, calling it "Texas-style diplomacy" and saying that law and not force should govern international relations.

Charles Josselin, minister for overseas cooperation, was commenting in the Arabic-language daily Asharq al-Awsat Wednesday on Washington's sharp reaction to recent criticism by French Foreign Minister Hubert Vedrine.

Josselin said the US response was because Vedrine had "touched a sore spot".

He added that after the terror attacks of September 11, "there was a danger of Washington justifying its excesses and use of force by its right to defend itself."

"It is Texas-style diplomacy", Josselin said, referring to the home state of US President George W. Bush famous for its cowboys.

"France for its part considers that the logic of law and not that of force should govern international relations," he added.

In a radio interview on February 6, Vedrine said, "Today we are threatened by a simplism that reduces all the problems of the world to the struggle against terrorism, and is not properly thought through."

He also voiced concern in particular about Washington's Middle East policy and the possibility of a US attack on Iraq, which Bush has branded part of an "axis of evil".

US Secretary of State Colin Powell questioned French support for the US-led war on terrorism and said his French counterpart "was getting the vapours", while France's ambassador to Washington was summoned to the State Department.

[Momaw Nadon]

Don't Mess With Texas!

[Area51]

"France for its part considers that the logic of law and not that of force should govern international relations," he added.

At which point the Frog dropped to his knees and yelled, "I surrender!"

[Far Right Of Left]

In a radio interview on February 6, Vedrine said, "Today we are threatened by a simplism that reduces all the problems of the world to the struggle against terrorism, and is not properly thought through."
Tell ya what Frenchy, while you're thinking this through,we'll get the job done,but please don't ask for our help when your pathetic little country gets overrun by your Muslim buddies.

[Piquaboy]

So, who listens to a bunch of frogs croaking in a swamp?

[KC_for_Freedom]

Don't Mess With Texas!

I was looking for this comment. BUMP

[DB]

I hope we don't bail out the Europeans this time...

Their making their bed, let them sleep in it for awhile...

[Robe]

Texas diplomacy worked for Judge Roy Bean

[Redleg Duke]

Otto Von Bismark understood all about law and force...and kicked the collective shit out of France repeatedly.

These corrupt and pathetic gomers are out of it.

[Right_in_Virginia]

Who gave the French permission to speak?

[pt17]

Texas-style diplomacy

Kinda like the difference between Texas chili and a French souffle. One's hot and got a bite and the other's not, it's full of air.

[TEXASPROUD]

So what the hell is wrong with "Texas Diplomacy"? Works for us.

[pikachu]

The French didn't last too long in Texas. Usually when people visit Six Flags or Texas they have trouble identifying the Confederate 'Stars and Bars' (not the battle flag with the St. George cross) and the mostly white French flag (looks like a surrender flag) of the monarchy.

[Robe]

FYI.......I teach in a local High School here in SC, and I heard a new slang term this A.M. that I had to ask about....
..”FRENCH JUDGE” .. take the good away from something or to dampen a good time i.e.: “We were going to the movies but Darla French Judged it “
Who said teenagers don’t pay attention to current events

[TEXASPROUD]

To add insult to injury, the Confederacy section of Six Flags Over Texas has been renamed "The South".

[meenie]

Where's the Santa Ana flag now that Texas is being over-run?

[dennisw]

The French and the Euros are sending an unmistakable message to Al Qaeda and other JIhadists. We are your friends. Attack America and leave us out. 

Matter of factor an attack on America helps the EU Euros in international economic competition.

[tcostell]

Just another European trying to negate the fact that they have become almost totally irrelevant in global politics. It's a nice reminder that when the French were helping us win our independance, they weren't so much interested in helping us as hurting the British. they were a second class world power then, and have fallen further since, but naturally thay don't enjoy the role.

I refer all freepers to the last paragraph of "Life among the Euroweenies" from "Holidays in Hell" by PJ ORourke. It's a suitable response to europeans concerned about US foreign policy.

[Walkingfeather]

Oh YES the classic french defensive posture: Drop to your knees and beg for mercy. What a bunch of Pussy's

[BlueLancer]

"I refer all freepers to the last paragraph of "Life among the Euroweenies" from "Holidays in Hell" by PJ ORourke. It's a suitable response to europeans concerned about US foreign policy."

This one?

So you say that we think war is a John Wayne movie. Hell, we think LIFE is a John Wayne movie – with good guys and bad guys, as simple as that. And let me tell you who those bad guys are: They’re US. WE BE BAD.

We’re the baddest-assed sons of bitches that ever jogged in Reeboks. We’re three-quarters grizzly bear and two-thirds car wreck and descended from a stock market crash on our mother’s side. You take your Germany, France, and Spain, roll them all together and it wouldn’t give us room to park our cars. We’re the big boys, Jack, the original, giant, economy-sized, new and improved butt-kickers of all time. When we snort coke in Houston, people lose their hats in Cap de'Antibes. We’ve got an American Express card credit limit higher than your piss-ant metric numbers go.

You say that our country’s never been invaded? You’re right, little buddy. Because I’d like to see the needle-dicked foreigners who’d have the guts to try. We drink napalm to get our hearts started in the morning. A rape and a mugging is our way of saying “Cheerio”. Hell couldn’t hold our sock-hops. We walk taller, talk louder, spit further, f*ck longer, and buy more things than you know the names of. I’d rather be a junkie in New York City jail than king, queen, and jack of all you Europeans. We eat little countries like you for breakfast and $hit them out before lunch.

[hgro]

During and since the revolution, the French keep trying to guillotine anyone with brains.