Bush: Chirac won't soon visit ranch

Agence France Presse ^ | April 24, 2003

[Shermy]

WASHINGTON (AFP) - US President George W. Bush said that French President Jacques Chirac won't soon be welcome to his Texas ranch even if bilateral tensions over Iraq eventually melt away.

"I doubt he'll be coming to the ranch any time soon," Bush told NBC television, a reference to his beloved "Prairie Chapel" property, a coveted invitation extended only to a handful of world leaders.

Bush and Chirac fell out over Paris'stated determination to bury a new UN Security Council resolution authorizing military action against Iraq, which inflamed anti-French sentiment in the United States.

"There are some strains in the relationship, obviously, because it appeared to some in our administration and our country that the French position was anti-American," the US leader said.

"Hopefully, the past tensions will subside and the French won't be using their position within Europe to create alliances against the United States, or Britain or Spain or any of the new countries that are the new democracies in Europe," he added.

Earlier, the White House moved to quash rumors that Bush would snub Chirac by overnighting in Switzerland during the June summit of wealthy nations, to be held in the eastern France spa resort of Evian.

"The president will be overnighting in France. There were never plans for him to overnight anywhere else," said Bush spokesman Ari Fleischer, denying a New York Times report.

White House officials who requested anonymity offered contradictory accounts, with one saying that Bush had planned to land in Switzerland and stay there through the gathering, to be held in the French resort town of Evian.

That official, who was privately very critical of France for its opposition to the war in Iraq, said that the decision was driven purely by logistics and was in no way intended as a symbolic show of disapproval.

Another aide, more familiar with White House travel plans, confirmed Fleischer's comments, citing months-old tentative schedules as calling for Bush to make a brief stop in Switzerland on his way to France, where he would stay for the summit.

The spokesman's remarks came days after top US officials met at the White House to decide how to respond to Paris' diplomatic efforts to avert US-led military action to disarm and topple Saddam Hussein (news - web sites).

France's role in the crisis has left a bitter taste in many Americans' mouths, prompting boycotts of French wine and leading US lawmakers to rename "French fries" as "Freedom fries" and Bush's Air Force One airplane to serve "Freedom Toast" in lieu of "French toast."

[Paleo Conservative]

Maybe the woodshed.

[XEHRpa]

"I doubt he'll be coming to the ranch any time soon,"

Yep, with year round "open season" on weasels, his safety couldn't be guaranteed.

[Dog Gone]

While I might quibble with the style of reporting here, it's still a good thing. The French press, at least, understands that Chirac has caused a great rift.

And perhaps the French public will begin to wonder whether it was worth it.

[Ciexyz]

In other words, Frenchie, "Restez-vous chez vous."

[SevenofNine]

AHHH LOLOLOL

YEAH THE WOODSHED

I think Dubya going crash at Queen Betty's crib oh yeah but I doubt Dubya going spent time with Chirac anytime soon

[Shermy]

"Hopefully, the past tensions will subside and the French won't be using their position within Europe to create alliances against the United States, or Britain or Spain or any of the new countries that are the new democracies in Europe," he added.

Finally somone says it. France was not merely saying "non", but looking to create new arrangements to benefit its interests, and hurt ours.

Look to France to be running to Iran as its new ally.

[Madcelt]

Woodshed my foot! Try the Barn! there's more places to throw'em! Hang'em! and Hide'em!

[Ciexyz]

Note: The French Press Agency neglected to mention the grass-roots American economic boycott of French products, instead focusing on "cutesy" little things like Freedom Fries and Freedom Toast. The anti-French sentiment here goes much deeper, mes amis.

[Madcelt]

Greetings neighbor! Ya need to look at this.

[pbear8]

A ranch is a dangerous place for weasels, accidents could happen.

[Maigrey]

Texan Ping

[HuntsvilleTxVeteran]

chIRAQ is squirming like a worm on a hook.

[EternalVigilance]

Chiraq wouldn't come even if he WAS invited.

It's common knowledge that in Texas they shoot varmints...

[MinuteGal]

Barbequed snails don't taste good, anyhow.

Leni

[bart99]

"And perhaps the French public will begin to wonder whether it was worth it."

---

Agree. But I think IF the french really openned their eyes, they would see their real problem is the influx of a rapidly growing muslim population in France..... and that their concern should be a bit more focused on extremist Islamic Fundamentalists who will, in a few years, have a nice little base there to exercise some power..... and terror.

At least the French have already threated to expell any clerics that preach that stuff. Wonder what might happen the FIRST time they do expell a muslim cleric.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

W will leave his cowboy boots just outside his French hotel room. Bet they're buffed by the time the paper comes round in the morning.

[Dog Gone]

Islamic terrorists don't really need France to export terror. They can do it from Yemen, Afghanistan, or even Indonesia.

That's not to say the France doesn't have an immigration problem, but it really doesn't bother me. If it drives the French out, I might wonder whether it's progress.

[Carthago delenda est]