Chirac high on list of casualties

New Zealand Herald ^ | April 19 2003 | CATHERINE FIELD

[knighthawk]

Eating humble pie is not something that comes easily to Jacques Chirac. Accustomed to the flunkies and gilt splendour of the Elysee Palace and his ego nicely inflated by last year's election victories, the word humility has not been in the French President's lexicon for some time.

So, faced with France's biggest diplomatic setback in decades, Chirac is groping for discretion and dignity as he beats a retreat over his Iraqi policy.

He hopes some soothing words, a few concessions and a swing of fortune's pendulum will ease his international isolation and ward off US reprisals against his country.

Chirac and the apparent architect of his hardline policy, Foreign Minister Dominique de Villepin, rank second to Saddam Hussein as political casualties of the Iraqi campaign.

A month ago, the French pair were riding high: they led an anti-war front with Germany and Russia that stood up to the US giant. They were supported, according to polls, by more than 80 per cent of the electorate at home. Abroad, Chirac was hailed by critics of the US as a man of principle and honour.

One month on, and the stock of both men has taken a serious tumble and France's - and Chirac's - pretensions to be a world player along with it.

The swift victory and relatively few allied and civilian deaths has handed a huge success to US President George W. Bush and British Prime Minister Tony Blair.

But it has sidelined Chirac and de Villepin, making them in the victors' eyes look either spoilers or irrelevant having disqualified themselves from tackling the world's crises.

The decisions made by the White House's inner circle could affect France economically as well as politically.

The signals they send could worsen the boycott of French goods by jingoistic American consumers and ensure French firms get only the crumbs from the reconstruction contracts on offer in post-war Iraq.

It took Chirac and de Villepin a day or so for the implications of the fall of Baghdad to sink in.

"Poor Mr Chirac," said Le Parisien "I bet he could scarcely bring himself to watch those TV images of the victorious Americans being welcomed in Baghdad."

Once the pair had grasped the awful position in which they found themselves, they grappled for a response that would help place France on the side of the victors, a difficult thing to do, given that Chirac had branded the war as illegal because it had not been sanctioned by the United Nations.

Chirac's first move was to try to patch things up with Britain, whose interests in Europe are intertwined with those of France. He phoned Blair, and the two leaders - who just a month ago were not even on speaking terms - had by official accounts a cosy, "unscheduled" 25-minute meeting on the sidelines of the EU summit in Athens this week.

Chirac then reluctantly had to deal with Bush. After waiting five days after the fall of Baghdad, he phoned the White House. The "businesslike"conversation was followed a day later by a big French concession.

Nato agreed to take up peacekeeping duties in Afghanistan, replacing the International Security Assistance Force, which comprises 4600 troops from nearly 30 countries.

That move is remarkable, for it is the first time the Atlantic alliance will operate outside its area of interest. It is also a significant climbdown by France, as well as by Germany and Belgium, which in the run-up to the Iraqi conflict had blocked Nato from sending reinforcements to Turkey, arguing that the move would fuel the "logic of war".

Another card in Chirac's hand is the European Union. His European affairs minister, Noelle Lenoir, has even floated the idea that EU members could send troops to Iraq to help maintain order.

The suave de Villepin has been generously rubbing in the balm of forgetfulness.

"Let us be pragmatic," he said. "It is in the interest of Iraq, the region and the international community. It is obvious the US Administration has a role to play. It is useless to go back to what divided us. Let us turn to the future."

For all the talk about pragmatism, France has still not abandoned its declared opposition to the war on the principle of defending the UN, multilateralism and non-aggression.

Indeed, it is keeping up the anti-war front with German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder and Russian President Vladimir Putin, and ensured that the EU summit in Athens on Thursday issued a statement calling for the UN to have a "central role" in Iraq.

That tactic shows Chirac is hedging his bets. If the occupation of Iraq turns out to be too bloody or costly, France will have been vindicated.

Public support for the Iraqi policy is wavering, though. A poll found just 55 per cent of voters still agreed France was right to refuse to join the military campaign against Iraq.

"It's not so much that the French people don't like to be seen as losers," said Dominique de Moisi, of the French Institute of International Affairs, "but more that they believe France's position on the war has proved to be irrelevant.

"But what will strengthen President Chirac's position - and weaken Bush's position - is if no weapons of mass destruction are found in Iraq after all."

At home, observers are looking for indications as to who will carry the can for forcing Chirac to so publicly repent.

Some wonder whether de Villepin can survive. Others blame Chirac.

Buoyed up by his self-image as the elder statesman of Europe and with public opinion on his side, he took the crucial decisions and ploughed on.

Diplomats note that at one stage France was a hair's breadth away from signing up to the coalition - all it needed, they say, was for a bit more shuttle diplomacy from the American side.

[knighthawk]

Europe-list

If people want on or off this list, please let me know.

[Carolinamom]

Diplomats [unnamed] note that at one stage France was a hair's breadth away from signing up to the coalition - all it needed, they say, was for a bit more shuttle diplomacy from the American side.

This is an outright LIE. According to these unnamed diplomats, it's all OUR fault that they did not join the Coalition. Sheer Gaul.

[Sabertooth]

For all the talk about pragmatism, France has still not abandoned its declared opposition to the war on the principle of defending the UN, multilateralism and non-aggression.

Two word: "Ivory Coast."

AfricaOnline.com - Ivory Coast: France strengthens military ...
... Ivory Coast: France strengthens military presence. Aerial of Abidjan,
(Africa Online Holdings), Staff Reporter ABIDJAN, 2 October 2002 ...
www.africaonline.com/site/Articles/1,3,49929.jsp - 32k - Cached - Similar pages

AfricaOnline.com - Ivory Coast: Gbagbo wants more support from ...
... Ivory Coast: Gbagbo wants more support from France. Staff Reporter ABIDJAN,
19 February 2003 A senior aide in the president’s office ...
www.africaonline.com/site/Articles/1,3,52151.jsp - 30k - Cached - Similar pages
[ More results from www.africaonline.com ]

Ivory Coast: France shows its real imperialist face
Ivory Coast: France shows its real imperialist face. France's 'pacifist ... states!
Ivory Coast: France shows its real imperialist face. The ...
www.internationalism.org/wr/262_ivory.htm - 11k - Cached - Similar pages

Actresses Posters
... Safari Algeria Zanzibar Ivory Coast Cape of Good Hope Italy's Countryside Argenteuil
Albania Pergola Italy's Coastline Famous Streets of France Kenya Tanzania ...
www.actresses-posters.com/ - 64k - Cached - Similar pages

Reuters AlertNet - France on the front line in Ivory Coast wild ...
... Home > the News > Newsdesk > France on the front line in Ivory Coast ... ... NEWSDESK,
10 Mar 2003 15:25 France on the front line in Ivory Coast wild west. ...
www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/CL1048162 - 38k - Cached - Similar pages

France-diplomatie [Diplomatic News]
... Freedom of the press / Ivory Coast 03/03/03 France regrets Sunday's incidents and
asks all parties to respect the integrity of journalists and refrain from any ...
www.france.diplomatie.fr/actu/actu.gb.asp?DOS=22794 - 23k - Cached - Similar pages

France-diplomatie [Diplomatic News]
Ministère des Affaires Etrangères Country Files > Africa > West Africa
> Ivory Coast France - Ivory Coast URL : Map of Ivory Coast 01/11/02. ...
www.france.diplomatie.fr/actu/actutxt.gb.asp?DOS=22794 - 26k - Cached - Similar pages
[ More results from www.france.diplomatie.fr ]

BBC NEWS | Africa | France's watchful eye on Ivory Coast
... Thursday, 27 February, 2003, 13:44 GMT France's watchful eye on Ivory Coast Ivorian
troops are fighting rebels alone - for now, By Henri Astier BBC News Online. ...
news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/2275828.stm - 44k - Cached - Similar pages

BBC NEWS | Africa | France's changing role in Ivory Coast
... Saturday, 21 December, 2002, 20:32 GMT France's changing role in
Ivory Coast French troops opened fire on rebels on Saturday, By ...
news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/2598089.stm - 48k - Cached - Similar pages
[ More results from news.bbc.co.uk ]

France Telecom - Ivory Coast
... Orange. Orange Ivory Coast Bd. ... Aviso. Aviso Immeuble EECI Avenue Houdaille Abidjan
COTE D'IVOIRE Web site : www.aviso.ci. Copyright © France Telecom - 2002.
www.francetelecom.com/en/worldwide/africa/ivorycoast/ - 34k - Cached - Similar pages

[schaketo]

NEVER FORGET! Here’s what I sent the candy a$$ via USPS using 3
U.S. Flag stamps.


French President Jacques Chirac
Monsieur Le President de la Republique
Palais de l'Elysee
55, rue du Faubourg Saint-Honore
75008 Paris FRANCE

Friday, March 21, 2003

Dear President Chirac,

Just a quick note to ensure you understand millions of Americans will never forget you and your country’s cowardice.

We have somewhat considered you an ally and a friend in the past. That perception has recently shifted for all times. And trust me, it is permanent.

I and millions of other Americans are now encouraging our elected officials, President Bush’s administration and business leaders to change their thinking about France. You will see in the future a new punitive approach towards our relationship with your country.

Don’t expect a public announcement regarding this shift. But it will happen.

With friends like France who needs enemies. We are quickly discovering who our real friends are. It is not you or your country. I imagine a few years down the road there will be hell to pay for your position in the history books and your political party’s future.

We’re tired of your slander and your weak knees. Thanks for all your help in the United Nations.

Yours truly,

[schaketo]

NEVER FORGET!

Gotta keep this alive. Share this link with all like minded family and friends. They are feeling the heat.

15000 french products that you can boycott:

http://howtobuyamerican.leethost.com/b-db-boycottfrance.shtml

[schaketo]

A short refresher course:

A list of French companies products to boycott. Some are well known, but many are not. Here goes.

It lists French products to boycott. You will probably be surprised to learn the French own everything from Wild Turkey to Car & Driver to Motel 6 to cheesy Spencer Gifts to disgusting Democrat schlock-show host Jerry Springer.

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
Houghton Mifflin (books)
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 (wiskey)
Jerry Springer (talk show)
Krups (coffee and cappaccino makers)
Lancome
Le Creuset (Cookware)
L'Oreal (Health & Beauty Products)
Louis Vuitton
Marie Claire
Martel Cognac
Maybelline
Méphisto (Footwear & Apparel)
Michelin (Tires & Auto Parts) - Their phone number is: (33) 1 45 66 15 53 in France
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
Nivea
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) - Here's a French connection that'll tick ya off--a couple years ago Publicis bought the Leo Burnett Advertising agency and that agency does the "Go Army" campaign. Sickening ain't it?

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
Salomon (Skis)
Seagram's Gin
Sierra Software and Computer Games
Smart & Final
Sofitel (Hotels) - Owned by the Accor group based in France
Sparkletts (Water) - Owned by Danone, based in France
Spencer Gifts
Sundance Channel
Taylor Made (Golf)
Technicolor
T-Fal (Kitchenware)
The Glenlivet (Scotch
Total Gas Stations
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
USFilter
Veritas Group
Veuve Clicquot Champagne
Vittel
Vivendi - Vivendi Headquarters, Paris France
Wild Turkey (bourbon)
Woman's Day Magazine
Yoplait - France-based Sodiaal owns a 50% stake of Yoplait
Yves Saint Laurent
Yema watches
Zodiac Inflatable Boats
Hutchinson Tires (bicycle) www.hutchinson.fr
Mavic (bicycle) rims www.mavic.com
Zefal (bicycle accessories) www.zefal.com

Please add to the list and email to your like-minded friends.

[jimbo123]

Chirac E-mail HERE

[Bahbah]

"jingoistic American consumers"
Well, now I know how to refer to myself. Buy Aussie wine.

[butter pecan fan]

I agree. Chiraq and all the French can go to f'ing hell for all I care. I will NEVER forget. And it is extremely unlikely I will EVER buy anything French again, for the rest of my natural days.

[MEG33]

Jingoistic is what I am...They tell me so.Buy American,Buy Aussie, Buy British ,Polish and Spanish. Italy,Portugal East European countries and Japan were helpful.

[Penny]

Thank you so very much for the address. I just wrote him a scathing critique of his cowardly stance.

Viva the United States!

Let the French leaders eat OIL!
Best regards,
Penny

[beckett]

"But what will strengthen President Chirac's position - and weaken Bush's position - is if no weapons of mass destruction are found in Iraq after all."

WMDs will be found. They are there. It's no great shock that in a country the size of California which has had over 12 years to perfect their concealment, several thousand strangers in the country, in a search that has only been uninterrupted for a few weeks, have been unable to find them.

They are there. And they will be found.

[Penny]

Thank you for this excellent list of products, one that updates an old list of mine.
With best regards,
Penny

[The Wizard]

I think France has found itself in a horrible position, and knowing how the Americans have won every war they ever tried too, they were very, very foolish.....

and now they are very much alone.......

I'm sorry, it just doesn't bother me....

[Dog Gone]

The French were on the verge of joining the coalition? What a joke! They did everything possible to stop us, short of dropping a nuke.

Revisionist history is very popular in France. Don't forget that the #1 bestseller book in France last year was all about how we planned the 9/11 attack.

[ODDITHER]

Chiraq appartient dans la poubelle d'histoire.
Chiraq belongs in the dustbin of history.

I have news for this author. It isn't just radical flag wavers (jingoistic) Americans that are willing to show their displeasure by bycotting French products.

For myself, there was no hardship- the only thing that I normally would buy are their tires. For some reason I have never liked Motel 6 anyway so that wasn't a hardship.

[HuntsvilleTxVeteran]

The fruit of the Osage Orange tree (hedge apple or
horse apple) repel vermin.
Is it legal to send these to all vermin?

[Right_in_Virginia]

BTTT

[Free_at_last_-2001]

Kronenbourg 1644