US ambassador warns France on trade relations

EU Observer ^ | 5/21/3

[NativeNewYorker]

In an interview published in Tuesday's (20 May) Le Figaro, US ambassador to France, Howard H. Leach, says that political tensions since the war in Iraq, are affecting trade relations between the two sides.

Mr Leach, who took up his functions in Paris in July 2001, says that during his time as Ambassador, the single issue that most surprised him was "the hostile action of the French government in the UN." "That was a great shock to me," he added.

When asked whether France's strong opposition to the American-led war in Iraq led to the feared boycott of French products in the US, Mr Leach replied that he could not see that the American government would do such things to "worsen the trade relationship between the two countries."

Linking trade relations to UN resolution
But he then went on to add a big caveat. He linked future trade relations between France and the US to relations in the UN.

"I do not think that it could lead to a massive and lasting boycott provided that we can find a solution on the sanctions issue in the UN on Iraq."

At the moment, the UN Security Council is discussing a controversial new Resolution on Iraq tabled by US and the UK for post-war Iraq. Washington is hoping for a positive response to the new Resolution by the Security Council members - of which France is also one.

But, while the US has called for a lifting of the UN-imposed sanctions against Iraq, France has only called for a suspension of the sanctions.

French businessmen fear a hostile reception
The Security Council imposed sanctions after Iraq's 1990 invasion of Kuwait and modified them in 1996 with an oil-for-food programme that allowed Iraq to sell unlimited quantities of oil to pay for humanitarian goods.

In a direct attempt to reassure French businessmen who fear a hostile reception in the US, Mr Leach said he had spoken to heads of French businesses. "I said [to those] that I met that the contracts would be honoured, and that they do not have to worry about the economic damages, and that the climate would get better."

But then he added another warning "...that is if a new confrontation does not occur at the UN."

[Rudder]

It seems all sides have ignored the fact that the US boycott is grass roots, not government-sponsored and not government-controlled. France insulted the American people and the people are appropriately avoiding things French...something the State Dept can do little about.

[Quix]

Agreed.

And, I for one have every intention of continuing it and encouraging it.

If any . . . 'humans' . . . using the term lightly . . . in the world have any affinity as traitors to sane values . . . with

her unroyal lowness,
her hideous heinous--
Bwitch Shrillery Antoinette
de Fosterizer de sh*t-flinger
de Back-stabber de Power-Monger-Extreme
de Commie-Marx-butt-kisser
de Black-Panther-arse-kisser
de Reno-suck-face de Bitterness-personified
de Vengeance-multiplied
de Felonious-traitor-incorporated
de Sade

it is the satanic occultists in France. Their efforts to jealously harm our Republic and rush the world to global government tyranny is shamefully obvious.

[patriciaruth]

Definitely grassroots with me, as I am no longer using L'Oreal to color my gray roots, tried Clairol Nice N Easy. Also am boycotting Smart N Final Iris products, bought items at Target instead.

Link to list of French companies and products to boycott

[2timothy3.16]

scrape, scratch, rub, gettem clean.

Warning:
I recently bought US made Gillette disposable blades instead of french made bics, you need to be careful when you do this, the US made Gillettes are much sharper, if you are used to the dull, scrape and hope french made bic's, you'll cut yourself using the much sharper US made Gillettes.

[NativeNewYorker]

Evian is verboten chez moi, and even my kids now talk about Freedom Fries. :)

[Rudder]

You're lucky--you still got roots.

The French have been trying their damndest to make it appear as if the boycott is some sort of official Bush policy. The trouble is we Americans won't let them.

[MissouriForBush]

Please keep up the boycott of French products, Freepers!

I am in the South of France right now on business and had an unpleasant encounter with an old French Leftist on the streets of Cannes yesterday. (No, I am definitely NOT with the Hollywood crowd at the Film Festival!)

The old man heard me speaking English on the sidewalk. As he walked past me, he purposely bumped into me and then said with much disgust, "You American!" Because I was raised to be a Southern lady, I responded firmly but politely, "And you, sir, are rude!" As he laughed at me, I said in parting, "Please be sure to thank my fellow Americans who gave their lives on the beaches of Normandy for the freedom you enjoy today!"

In all fairness, though, the French police or "les flics" here have been very friendly, so I only approach them if I need directions to go somewhere.

Trust me folks, I am very proud to be American and Leftist Frogs don't intimidate me one bit.

[schaketo]

"I do not think that it could lead to a massive and lasting boycott provided that we can find a solution on the sanctions issue in the UN on Iraq."

Perhaps I can help US ambassador to France, Howard H. Leach understand the PERMANENT change in consumer sentiment:

1. french President Jacques Chirac, personally helped Iraq begin its nuclear program.
2. france assisted China in shipping raw materials for chemical weapons to Iraq through Syria.
3. french security services helped suppress opposition groups seeking to depose Saddam Hussein.
4. The french had supplied Iraq with precision switches for nuclear weapons.
5. french companies had resupplied Iraq with spare parts for fighter jets on the eve of the March 2003 invasion. Intelligence reports indicated that Iraq was able to obtain French military spare parts for its Mirage jets and Gazelle attack helicopters in violation of U.N. sanctions.
6. The french helped Iraqi officials escape U.S. capture by issuing them EU passports. The passports allowed the Iraqis to evade detection by U.S. military and intelligence agencies because they were EU travel documents.
7. Intelligence officials said France attempted to conclude an oil deal with Saddam's government days before U.S. military action began March 19.
8. The french peddled disinformation against the Americans before the war -- this is a war for oil, Resolution 1441 does not authorize military action, George Bush is "cowboy," etc. -- at the very least, they now deserve some of their own.

france had an unemployment rate of 9.3% last month (April 03). It’s rising. Can we help them push it over 10%? 20%?. The new reality show on FOX this fall could be the marxists, socialists, and fundamentalist muslim imports (they are about 10% of the population and growing) burning paris to the ground. You can help:

WE SHOULD 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
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
Focal (Car speakers)www.focal-jmlab.fr
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)
JMLab (Speakers)www.focal-jmlab.fr
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
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
Triangle (Speakers)www.triangle-fr.com
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

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

[biblewonk]

It seems all sides have ignored the fact that the US boycott is grass roots, not government-sponsored and not government-controlled. France insulted the American people and the people are appropriately avoiding things French...something the State Dept can do little about.

Very astute observation.

[Guillermo]

No, Glenn Beck had talked about it on the radio, and he is on Clear Channel, and Bush knows one of the top executives at Clear Channel, so, this 'boycott' was Bush inspired.

[hchutch]

Trade war? Sounds like Larry Bond's book "Cauldron."

[MissouriForBush]

Come on!

I was into boycotting French products long before the politicians and media types got onto the bandwagon. This was grass roots at work, pal.

[Guillermo]

A boycott is an organized effort among a group of people.

It was all Clear Channel radio inspired. The made Glenn Beck talk about it after Bush pushed the Clear Channel exec.

[MissouriForBush]

So sorry, my boycott was organized by a group of one...

[RedWhiteBlue]

I was into boycotting French products long before the politicians and media types got onto the bandwagon. This was grass roots at work, pal.

That's gotta be really difficult to do while you are in Cannes. ;)

[Rudder]

No, Glenn Beck had talked about it on the radio, and he is on Clear Channel, and Bush knows one of the top executives at Clear Channel, so, this 'boycott' was Bush inspired.

Excuse the delayed reply. I've been wearing my tinfoil hat for quite a while and just took it off today. I think it's safe now. Anyway, I just got your reply and recall Beck collecting funds for this, from the general public---one dollar at a time. I believe his initial request was for 250K. Beck ended up with more than 450K.

Bush runs a mean conspiracy.