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France left out of Iraq stability force
The Daily Telegraph ^ | April 17, 2003 | Ambrose Evans-Pritchard

Posted on 04/16/2003 5:00:15 PM PDT by MadIvan

The rift in Europe over Iraq reopened last night after America's friends began to assemble a stabilisation force to back coalition troops, but left out France.

Asked about the plan at the European Union summit in Athens, Jacques Chirac, the French president, expressed surprise.

"I do not know anything about this proposal," he said, adding that he did not think such a force would be "an essential part of the solution of the problem" in Iraq.

He was speaking a day after he had a 20-minute conversation with President George W Bush to try to repair relations with Washington.

Denmark's staunchly pro-American prime minister, Anders Fogh Rasmussen, said that Washington had asked him to put together a 3,000-strong stabilisation force as quickly as possible to patrol Iraqi cities.

Mr Rasmussen said that Spain, Italy, Poland, Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia were ready to help and that others were coming around. Italy has approved the dispatch of 1,000 paramilitary policemen.

"Everyone realises that the international community and also the EU states have to make contributions across the board, both on stabilising the situation in the short term, but also on reconstruction in the long term."

The move coincided with a call by Mr Bush to the United Nations Security Council to lift the 12-year sanctions regime on Iraq.

He said: "Iraq should be able to trade freely and we need to transition from the oil-for-food programme as soon as possible and help restore a normal trading relationship with the global economy."

The move increased pressure on the anti-war powers to turn their declarations of support for a post-war government into reality.

Before the EU summit, Jack Straw, the Foreign Secretary, warned France, Germany and Russia that the United Nations would be sidelined again if they refused to co-operate with the coalition.

He said: "I would be surprised if we run into a negative approach, because what we are talking about is making it easier for the Iraqis themselves to have a democratic government."

Gathering at their first EU summit since the fall of Saddam Hussein, the anti-war bloc faces the fresh dilemma of whether to help restore Europe's shattered unity and heal the rift with Washington, or reinforce an obstructionist role that is becoming more costly by the day in political terms.

Russia and Germany started to distance themselves from the anti-war coalition over the weekend. There were signs yesterday that M Chirac was also at last looking for a way out of the impasse.

In his first face-to-face meeting with Tony Blair since the war began, he turned on the charm in a 20-minute chat, promising to support the Anglo-American forces in their goal of handing over a pacified Iraq to an interim authority led by Iraqis.

M Chirac's spokesman, Catherine Colonna, said it had been a very positive meeting.

She said: "Issue by issue, we have to find the right balance between the role of the UN, which must be the essential role, and the American and British forces on the ground."

As a first gesture, M Chirac floated the idea of an EU airlift to evacuate wounded children for medical treatment in Europe.

As the two men met, thousands of Greek leftists clashed with riot police in nearby Syntagma Square, leaving the air filled with the tear gas so familiar to EU summits.

Up to 100 people also took over the British Airways office to protest at Mr Blair's presence in the city. Others hurled petrol bombs at the British, Spanish and Italian embassies.

Asked what he felt about provoking demonstrations said to be the worst in Greece for 30 years, Mr Blair said: "It is an important democratic right that people have in Europe that they can take to the streets.

"It is a right the people in Iraq have today but did not have for 30 years."

The Prime Minister repeated that there should be "an important role for the UN" both in humanitarian relief and the reconstruction of Iraq. But the real priority was for the Iraqi people to take charge of their destiny.

At a brain-storming session on the new European constitution, most of the leaders backed the creation of a "foreign minister" to prevent a repetition of the humiliating cacophony over Iraq.

But there was less support for plans pushed by Mr Blair for a full-time president in Brussels who could give "strategic direction" and provide a negotiating partner for the American president.

"We need someone the White House can call," a British official said.


TOPICS: Foreign Affairs; Front Page News; Government; News/Current Events; US: District of Columbia; United Kingdom; War on Terror
KEYWORDS: blair; bush; chirac; collateralbenefits; denmark; estonia; france; iia; iraq; iraqifreedom; italy; latvia; lithuania; nonallyfrance; olivebranch; orha; peace; peacekeeping; poland; postwariraq; spain; stabilization; uk; us; war; willingcoalition
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The Danes have been outstanding in this war. As for Chirac, one word applies - "Loser".

Regards, Ivan


1 posted on 04/16/2003 5:00:15 PM PDT by MadIvan
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To: hoosiermama; MeekMom; Dutchgirl; Freedom'sWorthIt; Carolina; patricia; annyokie; ...
Bump!
2 posted on 04/16/2003 5:00:28 PM PDT by MadIvan
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To: MadIvan
Good! Why should France be included? As Dennis Miller said on Leno a few weeks back, "Look, Jacques, if you want to get involved here, if you want to get your hands dirty, you're going to have to run them through your own hair, my friend."
3 posted on 04/16/2003 5:02:53 PM PDT by My2Cents ("Well....there you go again.")
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To: MadIvan
Condi Rice was quoted when asked what to do with the Axis of whiners....

"Punish France....ignore Germany....forgive Russia..."

Chirac is about to get his punishment..

4 posted on 04/16/2003 5:05:27 PM PDT by Dog
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To: MadIvan
"I do not know anything about this proposal," he said...

Let's keep it that way.

5 posted on 04/16/2003 5:06:15 PM PDT by rickmichaels (Those who f*** with America f*** themselves.)
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To: MadIvan
This sounds less ominous than an earlier report.The UN has not done well with reconstruction.
6 posted on 04/16/2003 5:07:32 PM PDT by MEG33
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To: Dog
What's even better is that Spain, always despised by France, has presided over the organizing meetings for this. I'm sure leaving them out was a great pleasure to Spain.

Way to go! Rub their little froggie noses in it!
7 posted on 04/16/2003 5:09:25 PM PDT by livius (Let slip the cats of conjecture!)
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To: MEG33
The early report was started by Russia.
8 posted on 04/16/2003 5:11:48 PM PDT by KeyWest
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To: MadIvan
What was it that Jed Babbin said about the involving the French in efforts that require guns? "It's like taking an accordian with you when you go deer hunting. You end up with a load of noisy useless baggage that makes it harder to accomplish your objective."

About sums it up.
9 posted on 04/16/2003 5:14:41 PM PDT by No Truce With Kings (The opinions expressed are mine! Mine! MINE! All Mine!)
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To: KeyWest
Our great friend,Russia.Hmmm
10 posted on 04/16/2003 5:15:34 PM PDT by MEG33
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To: MadIvan
Before the EU summit, Jack Straw, the Foreign Secretary, warned France, Germany and Russia that the United Nations would be sidelined again if they refused to co-operate with the coalition.

Hopefully they will procrastinate long enough to enable this result.

11 posted on 04/16/2003 5:16:38 PM PDT by Navy Patriot (Failure: Fabrique en France.)
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To: No Truce With Kings
YO Chirac!

You have been instructed. If you want to help, cancel the Iraqi debt. If you don't want to cancel the debt, you don't want to help. Period.

12 posted on 04/16/2003 5:19:59 PM PDT by Owen
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To: MadIvan
At a brain-storming session on the new European constitution, most of the leaders backed the creation of a "foreign minister" to prevent a repetition of the humiliating cacophony over Iraq.

How's that going to help? He'll still be unable to get consensus from the Euros -- what's he going to do, make up his policy dictatorially?

13 posted on 04/16/2003 5:21:25 PM PDT by expatpat
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To: Dog
France, that sh*ty little country ...
14 posted on 04/16/2003 5:23:31 PM PDT by John Lenin (I was the kid next door's imaginary friend)
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To: MadIvan
Mr Rasmussen said that Spain, Italy, Poland, Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia were ready to help and that others were coming around. Italy has approved the dispatch of 1,000 paramilitary policemen.

Humble thanks to all of the above.
15 posted on 04/16/2003 5:23:54 PM PDT by Arkinsaw
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To: MadIvan
Denmark's staunchly pro-American prime minister, Anders Fogh Rasmussen, said that Washington had asked him to put together a 3,000-strong stabilisation force as quickly as possible to patrol Iraqi cities.

Doncha love fresh Danish in the morning?

16 posted on 04/16/2003 5:26:58 PM PDT by savedbygrace
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To: expatpat
"He'll still be unable to get consensus from the Euros -- what's he going to do, make up his policy dictatorially?"

The French plan on his having the Quai d'Orsay on his speed dial...

17 posted on 04/16/2003 5:29:34 PM PDT by okie01 (The Mainstream Media: IGNORANCE ON PARADE.)
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To: okie01
Yes, I bet -- or try to give the job to Villepin.
18 posted on 04/16/2003 5:31:15 PM PDT by expatpat
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To: MadIvan
Allowing France to get involved in Iraq could possibly be the "Read my lips" for the younger Bush when it comes to the base. I hope he doesn't test this theory.
19 posted on 04/16/2003 5:33:08 PM PDT by Starstruck
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To: MadIvan
The Danes are really cool folks. Alot of Danes love jazz and blues and America in general. I see lots of them come here to New Orleans.

To be sure there's a definite leftist element in the country, but they've always been fiercely independent, and sceptical about the EU. It took a couple of no votes before they joined EU and the common currency.
20 posted on 04/16/2003 5:33:10 PM PDT by mikenola
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