France and Germany in EU defence breakaway (EXCUSE ME? ALERT)

The Times ^ | April 30, 2003 | Rory Watson and Rosemary Bennett

[MadIvan]

France, Germany, Luxembourg and Belgium. More ego than brains.

Regards, Ivan

[MadIvan]

Bump!

[mewzilla]

France, Germany, Belgium, and Lux? What's there to deploy? They could have the office in a phone booth.

[alnitak]

Shape = SHAPE = Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe

http://www.nato.int/shape/

[SevenofNine]

AHH Ivan WHATTTTT


France and Germany that not world power they haven't been powerful since 18th century even back then

So going be Kaisher on this one Shordoer or Chirac

[snopercod]

What will they call it, Weas-O?

[Filibuster_60]

Let's look on the bright side. I hope the Eurocrats finally realize they'll have to fend for themselves if they want a foreign policy consistent with their independent interests that are vastly different from ours. They might try to get Russia on board. If so, look for France and Russia to propose a joint European nuclear command.

[RockBassCreek]

Does anyone really expect them to increase taxes to fund a real military? If they increase taxes any more in Germany, the people will have to pay the government for the privilege of working.

[Paul Ross]

Absolut-ely priceless. They are at it again....

[tiamat]

What I would like to know is who they think is going to pay for this?

None of those countries is in great shape financially at teh moment!

The timing on this is suspect.

I think what they really want is to be able to tell the United States "No" and make it stick.

The whole thing reeks.

Tia

[Filibuster_60]

I wouldn't laugh if I were you. This is probably a plan of Old Europe to assert independence from the US, cozy up to Russia, and put the squeeze on pro-American leaders in New Europe - many of whose countries depend heavily on Old Europe for investment and technology. It'll also make Britain feel unwelcome on the continent and stranded in the middle of the transatlantic divide.

This must be the first time in history that France and Germany have found such common cause. They're pissed that they didn't frustrate US interests in the Mideast, so now they're trying to be more assertive in their own neighborhood. Some of their leaders want revenge against New Europe and will work with Russia to make it a reality.

[Grampa Dave]

I should be afraid to ask this.

What is in the glass with the Vodka?

[Billthedrill]

“We want to make clear that this is not against Nato,” Gerhard Schröder, the German Chancellor, said.

That is a lie. This is an attempt to form a new NATO with Russia supplying the money and the troops much as the United States did for so long, only more so. How the other countries in the present EU, much less the new entries, will react to this is pretty easy to imagine. If France, Belgium, and Germany aren't careful this will threaten not only NATO but the very continuity of the EU itself.

[JRjr]

Looks like a drowned weasel to me...

[Billthedrill]

What is in the glass with the Vodka?

It looks to me like an embalmed weasel. You were right to be afraid to ask...

[capitan_refugio]

The Dutch better be careful. The French-German-Luxemborgian-Belch alliance have them surrounded!

[telebob]

This whole idea is just stupid. What we are seeing is a 'harmonic convergence' of sorts: The EU core is in the first stages of meltdown. French-led foriegn policy is a disaster, the Euro economy is on the ropes with little hope of shaking off the debilitating effects of socialism and the 'Old Euro' mindset is not condusive to robust displays of fortitude.

Forget about it. It ain't gonna happen...

[Grampa Dave]

I guess that I still want to know what is in the glass!

[Arkinsaw]

Hey Ivan, is it true that Blair has started mentioning that he might kill the Eurofighter?

If true, do you think that has anything to do with this situation or is it truly economic.

[Joe Boucher]

Sounds like france has figured out a way to surrender to germany before any hostilities break out this time.