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."

[lonestar]

chIRAQ is squirming like a worm on a hook.

He is a worm!

[Texas Eagle]

Bush: Chirac won't soon visit ranch

Dang. And I already had visions of President Bush sitting around with Chirac and telling him: "Sheeeyit, Jacque, I'm tellin ya that's Texas champagne you're drinking there. It just smells like horse piss."

[lilylangtree]

Well, if Chirac ever goes to the presidential ranch, hopefully one of the secret service agents will put a burr under his saddle when he goes horseback riding. But don't tell PETA. The agency might construe that action as inhumane nevermind what happens to Chirac.

[Mad_Tom_Rackham]

["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.]

Dream on, wet dreamers.

[Grampa Dave]

Actually, GW invited ChIraq to visit the ranch to help GW clear out the current tumbleweed crop and ChIraq refused to come help GW in this task.

GW would have used a rope and tied ChIraq by the feet and then attached the other end of the rope to the trailer hitch on GW's F250 four wheel drive pickup.

Then GW would have dragged ChIraq around at 40 MPH to clear out the current tumbleweed crop.

ChIraq in a typical French snit, said No! So ChIraq will not be visiting GW's ranch.

[MS.BEHAVIN]

In other words..

STAY THE HELL HOME! ;-)

Ms.B

[GopherIt]

All the cuteness above aside, it is very arguable that the actions of Chirac cost American lives. Enough said about being welcome.

[Grampa Dave]

ChIraq cost American Lives and for decades he has cost lives of Iraqis, Irans, Kurds and others by being in bed with Saddam.

I have nothing but contempt for him. To me he is even more evil than Saddam.

[lndrvr1972]

Thank God we have a president with balls. That is why everyone in the world is so pissed off. I love it. Bush for 2004.

[GretchenEE]

This is ripe.

"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.

Sit up and take notes, France. You don't really want to find out how painful that course of action would be, do you?

said Bush spokesman Ari Fleischer, denying a New York Times report.

NYT has been getting it wrong quite a bit lately.

Haven't read it yet but this is related: France Works To Limit Damage from US Anger

[Credo]

I guess Chirac doesn't get a nickname.

Oh wait.

C'est ver.

[glock rocks]

this is a good omen.

now, how bout them germans, rooskies, canuks, and mexicans?

[salmon76]

"won't soon be welcome to his Texas ranch"

New sign at the ranch: No wusses allowed!

[showme_the_Glory]

New sign at the ranch: No wusses allowed!


No dang'd weasels neither...........

[LaGrone]

We'll send the armadillos after him! STAMPEDE!!

[Ronin]

The French are useless. Forget them.

[Madcelt]

Patience is a virtue. Bush has said "I am a patient man." I think he one of those "line hunters". Lines'em up then BOOOM. I could be wrong though.(But somehow, I doubt it.)

[Terridan]

And let's not kid ourselves... not a day goes by that I read yet another article of our so called "allies" threats of boycotting American products!!!! They just don't get it, and I think we should help their boycotts along! No meds, no money, no nuthin'!!! After a time in the "dark ages" with only animals like Saddam for friends, they'll come around... best wishes!!!

[Terridan]

Hey, they are all quaking in their boots and huarachis...;)

[Rain-maker]

I hear Rummy invited Chirac to GTMO's annual Toad Stomp though.