France, US have long road ahead to revive bilateral ties: analysts

Agence France-Presse (AFP) ^ | 4-16-03 | Susan Stumme

[Oldeconomybuyer]

PARIS, April 16 (AFP) - French President Jacques Chirac and US President George W. Bush -- bitterly divided over the war in Iraq -- have broken the ice with a brief telephone call but mending their strained ties will take time, analysts said Wednesday.

"The differences have not changed, of course, but they did well to try to avoid a widening of the gap," said Simon Serfaty, director of the Europe program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington.

"Chirac wants to make sure that he is not left behind" when the postwar reconstruction of Iraq begins, Serfaty added.

Chirac called Bush on Tuesday -- their first contact since February 7 -- for a 20-minute conversation qualified as "positive" by the French leader's office and "businesslike" by the White House.

Chirac's spokeswoman Catherine Colonna said he told Bush of "France's willingness to act in a pragmatic way" with respect to the rebuilding of Iraq -- a vague concept, according to Washington.

"I think it's something that France can explain. I think that they may be seeking to find what role they may be able to play," said White House spokesman Ari Fleischer.

Paris and Washington have been at loggerheads over France's opposition to the use of military force against Iraq, with Chirac insisting for months that the crisis could be resolved through tougher UN weapons inspections.

The spat escalated when Chirac vowed to use France's UN Security Council veto to block any resolution authorizing military action, forcing Washington and London to go after Iraqi President Saddam Hussein on their own.

The row sparked a wave of France-bashing in the United States, with angry consumers pouring out bottles of French wine, and restaurants -- including the cafeterias in the US House of Representatives -- renaming foods like french fries and french toast into "freedom fries" and "freedom toast."

But analysts say that while Paris is opening the door to dialogue, Washington is not quite ready to engage.

"France did not play its weak hand well, but it's really up to the United States to be magnanimous in victory," said Dana Allin, a senior fellow at the International Institute for Strategic Studies in London.

"But I don't see that happening," he added, calling the reaction in Washington "a little bit disturbing."

Allin explained that as Washington is revelling in its military victory in Iraq, "there is probably a tendency to think that it can isolate France, make it pay a price," while inviting anti-war Germany and Russia back to the negotiating table.

Both Allin and Serfaty highlighted the key role of British Prime Minister Tony Blair -- Bush's staunch supporter in the war -- in any rapprochement between Paris and Washington, with Serfaty calling him "the only guy at this point in time who is not only able but willing to speak to everybody else."

Blair and Chirac, who locked horns over the US-British offensive in Iraq but agree that the United Nations should play a key role in the country's future, met Wednesday on the sidelines of a European Union summit in Athens.

"Britain is key in this," Allin said. "On a lot of these critical issues, the British are more French than American."

"One would hope that the hubris in Washington would be checked by a realization that you can't push Britain too far," he added.

Chirac and Bush will have a chance to resume their dialogue at a summit of the Group of Eight (G8) industrialized nations in the lakefront Alpine town of Evian-les-Bains on June 1-3.

"You now have a clock that is ticking from now until June 2," Serfaty said, suggesting that Paris and Washington "be sure that Chirac and Bush don't engage in a pas-de-deux that would keep them as far away from each other as possible."

"They have to be seen dancing together," he added.

[TheLooseThread]

France, US have long road ahead to revive bilateral ties

I say we take the next off-ramp.

[Paul Atreides]

I have to post this: I was watching Brit Hume's show and Michael Barone was talking about Bubba's latest attempt to tear down President Bush and he said "Bill Clinton wants us to get the permission of FRANCE to defend ourselves?". Before that he said that Bill Clinton is A TRASHY INDIVIDUAL! I love it.

[thucydides]

What nonsense! We have little or no need for the French, whose only importance is in trying to be obstructive. Dealing with them only enhances their ability to do so. They need us badly, and we have almost no need for their help. Wait until they begin to realize what a hit they will take on tourism and exports. Chirac obviously had motives for what he did: what reason is there to think he has abandoned his desire to be a sort of leader of the Arab and African nations, and win support by being seen as trying to thwart us? All we need to do is just let continued evidence of France's violation of the Iraq sanctions, and their cooperation with terrorism continue to emerge. The French are headed down a road where they will be truly detested by Americans.

[gcruse]

One would hope that the hubris in Washington...

....would be mirrored by shame in France.

If you can do it, it ain't braggin'.

[isthisnickcool]

France. Isn't their gross national product about 10% of the U.S. GNP? Their population is what? A 1/5 of ours and the country is less than the size of Texas?

Yea. France is a big deal.....

[Consort]

...Someday the US and French flags will fly together again.

[LibKill]

Why bother to re-connect with the frogs?

We have have more than enough homegrow jerks. We don't need to import any.

[Pearls Before Swine]

They need us badly, and we have almost no need for their help. Wait until they begin to realize what a hit they will take on tourism and exports. Chirac obviously had motives for what he did: what reason is there to think he has abandoned his desire to be a sort of leader of the Arab and African nations, and win support by being seen as trying to thwart us?

Aside from the "greater France" motivation, Chirac was following the money. I wonder, though, how much money will be lost through Americans' shunning of French products. Will it be comparable to the amount that was gained and that they wished to continue to gain through Iraq?

Chirac didn't think about the American markets--they were in the bag. But, they're not in the bag. It will be a verrrry long time before I consume French wine or cheese, or think about vacationing there. This isn't a "boycott" in the sense of organized market forces. Its an expression of long pent-up American disgust with France's superior attitude and obstructionist politics in relation to the US. I've had it, and I'm not alone. In my family, my wife just looked at me one day and said "I'm not buying French." It was a simultaneous decision for us, and many others, and that is why I think it will last.

[Cicero]

Remind me to put "Dana Allin, a senior fellow at the International Institute for Strategic Studies in London" on my s**t list.

[SwinneySwitch]

GW: Uh, Jacques, let me get back to you on that sewer cleaning contract, monsewer!

[Lokibob]

Here is a list of French products to avoid:

Air France

Air Liquide

Airbus

Alcatel - Based in Paris France

Allegra (Allergy Medication) - Produced by Aventis Pharmaceuticals based in Strasbourg, France

Aqualung (Including: Spirotechnique, Technisub, US Divers, and SeaQuest)

AXA Advisors

Bank of the West - Owned by BNP Paribas

Beneteau (boats)

BF Goodrich - Owned by Michelin

BIC (Razors, Pens & Lighters) - Started in 1945 by Marcel Bich. Originally based just outside of Paris. Began trading on the Paris Stock Exchange in 1972. 40.5% Publicly traded. Bich family still owns 33.5%.

Biotherm (Cosmetics)

Black Bush

Bollinger (Champagne)

Car & Driver Magazine

Cartier

Chanel

Chivas Regal (Scotch)

Christian Dior

Club Med (Vacations) - Owned in part by Paris based CDC (Caisse des Dépôts et Consignations)

Culligan (owned by Vivendi)

Dannon (Yogurt & Dairy Foods)

DKNY - LVMH acquired 100% of Gabrielle Studio Inc., the privately owned licenser of Donna Karan trademarks back in 2001.

Dom Perignon

Durand Crystal

Elle Magazine

Essilor Optical Products

Evian

Fina Oil - Billions invested in Iraqi Oil fields

First Hawaiian Bank

George Magazine

Givenchy

Hennessy

International Herald Tribune - 181 ave Charles-de-Gaulle - F-92521 Neuilly -

FRSource:World Business Council for Sustainable Development '00 [Domain Registration], [Corporate Profile]

Jacobs Creek - Owned by Pernod Ricard since 1989

Jameson (whiskey) - Owned by Penrod Ricard, France

Jerry Springer (talk show)

Krups (coffee and cappaccino makers)

Lancome

Le Creuset (Cookware)

L'Oreal (Health & Beauty Products)

Louis Vuitton

Marie Claire

Maybelline

Méphisto (Footwear & Apparel)

Michelin (Tires & Auto Parts) - Their phone number is: (33) 1 45 66 15 53 in France Current as of: 03/19/03

Mikasa Crystal and Glass (purchased by ARC int'l in 2001)

Moet (Champagne)

Motel 6 - 33, Avenue du Maine- 75755 Paris Cedex 15 France

Motown Records

MP3.com

Mumms (Champagne)

Nissan (Cars) - Majority owned by Renault

Normany Butter

Parents Magazine

Peugeot (Automobiles) - Pronounced "Pooh Joe", must be French

Pierre Cardin

Playstation Magazine

ProScan - Owned by Thomson Electronics, France

Publicis Group (Including: Saatchi & Saatchi Advertising)

RCA (televisions & electronics) - Owned by Thomson Electronics, France

Red Magazine

Red Roof Inns - Owned by the Accor group based in France

Renault (Automobiles)

Road & Track Magazine

Roquefort Cheese - All Roquefort cheese is made in France

Rowenta (Toasters, Irons, Coffee makers, etc)

Royal Canadian

Seagram's Gin

Sierra Software and Computer Games

Smart & Final - Owned by Groupe Casin, France

Sofitel (Hotels) - Owned by the Accor group based in France

Sparkletts (Water) - Owned by Danone, based in France

Spencer Gifts

Sundance Channel

Technicolor

T-Fal (Kitchenware)

The Glenlivet (Scotch)

UbiSoft (Computer Games)

Uniroyal

Uniroyal Tires - Owned by Michelin

Universal Studios (Music, Movies & Theme Parks) - Universal Studios is owned by Vivendi-Universal, headquartered in Paris France

Varilux Lenses (Essilor Optical)

Veritas Group

Veuve Clicquot Champagne

Vittel

Vivendi - Vivendi Headquarters, Paris France

Wild Turkey (bourbon)

Woman's Day Magazine

Yoplait - France-based Sodiaal owns the Yoplait brand. General Mills is a brand licensee.

Yves Saint Laurent

Zodiac Inflatable Boats

[RANGERAIRBORNE]

From now on, the only French historical date I intend to celebrate is 25 October 1415.

Perhaps I will have Leek soup and a few cold beers every year on the anniversary of the utter defeat of the French at Agincourt...

[the gillman@blacklagoon.com]

I say, hand them a flashlight so they can find their way to Hell, where they belong.

[Right_in_Virginia]

"Paris and Washington have been at loggerheads over France's opposition to the use of military force against Iraq..."

France not only "expressed opposition to the use of military force against Iraq"'s murderous regime and dismissal of UN resolutions for 12 years...but also solicited support from other nations in an attempt to diminish US influence and become an opposition power to the United States.

France also traded innocent blood for profit.

[caisson71]

The longer the road the better.

[expatpat]

Chirac wants to make sure that he is not left behind when the postwar reconstruction of Iraq begins

Well, I for one hope he is left well behind, behind Poland, Czech Republic, etc. in the line for work.

[ricpic]

"Disregard the slight stinging sensation from that French curasse in your back, you big bad bully of an Etats Unis, you."

[SwinneySwitch]

This goes beyond not buying french products! I bought a loaf of Freedom Bread at our local grocer's bakery the other day! And, I always make it a point to order Freedom Fries now instead of the french kind!:^}

[PeoplesRep_of_LA]

"But I don't see that happening," he added, calling the reaction in Washington "a little bit disturbing."

Hope you enjoy being disturbed (and "saddened")Dana, you English eunuch.