France, UK present united front on Iraq future

Reuters | 4/09/03

[kattracks]

France, UK present united front on Iraq future

PARIS, April 9 (Reuters) - France and Britain, papering over their differences over the war in Iraq, presented a united front on Wednesday over the country's future and agreed on the need for international involvement in the reconstruction process.

French Foreign Minister Dominique de Villepin said after a breakfast meeting with British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw that he backed a pledge by Britain and the United States to give the United Nations a vital role in Iraq's rebuilding.

"We agree that the United Nations should be given a full role. The more united the international community is, the better the chances of the (reconstruction) process being successful," Villepin told a press briefing.

France is concerned about how much control Washington will have over post-war Iraq.

Straw said U.S. and British troops would likely remain in place immediately after the war, in the interest of security.

"Britain and the United States want to see the creation of a representative, democratic Iraqi government as fast as possible, but it can't happen overnight," he said.

"Since U.S. and UK forces are the reality on the ground in terms of security, we have a responsibility to stay there until the hostilities are over.

"We all hope desperately that the conflict comes to an end, and it looks like we may be near the close of hostilities," Straw said.

Straw and Villepin, who has frequently stressed that the United Nations must have overall charge of repairing Iraq, seemed keen to patch over differences after weeks of animosity over France's opposition to the U.S.-led war.

"I am especially glad that we met today after several difficult weeks between our two countries," Villepin said, adding that even during the rift between the two countries, "dialogue and friendship had never ceased."

"Life would be boring if friends always agreed. This is a grown-up relationship. We sometimes disagree on important issues but we always work through them," Straw said.

"There is a huge range of issues on the agenda. We have always worked together and we will continue to do so."

04/09/03 06:58 ET

[PokeyJoe]

Ribbit

[paguch]

Bush needs to resist this. France clearly sided with the enemy, negotiated with and intimidated Turkey and cost US lives. We must never forget the French who forgot and betrayed.

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[Nitro]

[Leisler]

France supplied, supported and was allied with Saddam. They, the frogs, have been and are now, our enemy. I thought the Bush family never forgets a slight. Let's see what happens now that Americans are being buried.

[trebb]

Sounds like Reuters is going a little Clintonesque - they have the same problem with "united front" that he had with "is".

[ricpic]

Well, looks like the period of marching shoulder to shoulder with the Brits is fini.

[kattracks]

I'd wait and see, this is coming from Reuters, after all.

[Northeast]

French Foreign Minister Dominique de Villepin said after a breakfast meeting with British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw that he backed a pledge by Britain and the United States to give the United Nations a vital role in Iraq's rebuilding.

Surrendering again. At least they're consistent.

[Beck_isright]

""We agree that the United Nations should be given a full role. The more united the international community is, the better the chances of the (reconstruction) process being successful," Villepin told a press briefing."

I concur with that statement.




So how long until we can get 50,000 frogs into the desert for mine-clearing duty?

V

[CatoRenasci]

Someone needs to explain to the British Foreign Office that stabbing the US in the back during the Reconstruction of Iraq will be regarded as little better than having done so before and during the war.

[jriemer]

UN Vulture Alert!

[gcruse]

Britain -United States to give the United Nations a vital role in Iraq's rebuilding.

France - "We agree that the United Nations should be given a full role."

See la difference?  I say vital, as in necessary, you say full, as in
covering every aspect.  This is why diplomacy is so chicken shit.
There is no united front and the French are going to squeal like the
pigs they are when they find out that 'vital' means sending food.