Chirac balks at reviving friendship

The Times ^ | June 03, 2004 | From Charles Bremner in Paris

[jimbo123]

[CasearianDaoist]

Oh I see...Chirac can politicize Iraq but Bush cannot. I hope he tells it like it is but he will not- too well mannered to do so. I am amazed at the notion the Europeans have that they can insult our President but somehow we will not be insulted as a nation when they do so. What gives them this idea? What will they say if there is a decisive victory for Bush in Nov. Return to the old "partnership?" They are deluding themselves it never existed. Do the Europeans have any idea the growing disdain Americans feel for them? Much more nonsene out of Chirac and an the French elites and it will turn into hatred.

Return to pretending that we have any respect for France? That day is long gone. So it will be open contempt for them. Where do they get off instructing the President on what to say?

Time to end NATO and let France protect the EU.

[speedy]

"For months ministers have been under orders to refrain from any gloating over what they see as the vindication of France’s arguments against the Iraq invasion."

Vindicated how? We threw out their boy Saddam and a new government with democratic values, and which is opposed by France, is taking over. What is there for them to gloat about? Yes, the French love us as long as we have a President they can lead around by the nose, like Clinton or Carter. I'm afraid they are way too "nuanced" to understand what has happened over the past few years.

[lonevoice]

The charm offensive partly springs from a growing feeling in Paris that Mr Bush may not be defeated by the Francophile Democrat John Kerry in November.

Bwahahaha! Great line.

[EternalVigilance]

Chiraq can kiss my derriere.

Well, maybe not.

I might catch something.

[nonliberal]

Let's give France back to the Nazis. Ze French were perfectly happy living under Nazi domination anyway.

[Right_in_Virginia]

...but he — and most of France — are adamant that President Bush should not confuse gratitude for wartime liberation with acquiescence on Iraq.

Hey, I'd pay good money to see Chirac throw a tantrum before the cameras.

He's "adamant"! LOL!!! Does this mean he's writing a resolution?

[Carolinamom]

We helped them and shed our blood for their liberation. They chose not to help us. Now, they want to horn in and reap $$$. Effete, ungrateful b**t**ds.

[NeonKnight]

“Bush is the exact opposite of the values which we admire in America,”

...and we are about to reelect him. Get over it.

[vigilence]

They "seek a return to the shared values of the old alliance"....let's see, the same allieance that , beginning with De Gaulle, shunned any co-operative effort to present a united front on the eve of 6/6/45...insisted on leading the way into Paris after Americans fought our way to the city limits...disallowed U.S. military bases in their country during the cold war...disallowed flight space to our F-111's when Reagan gave Quadaffi his comeuppance...and, not even mentioning WWI when we rescued them from the Hun the first time. Amazing short memories for these French communists. It's been a one sided effort since Yorktown.

[Wolfstar]

"Bush is the exact opposite of the values which we admire in America..."

Yeah, and European socialism is the exact opposite of the principles on which the United States of America was founded.

Even though it's only one tiny gesture in an uncaring world, this particular American will never set foot in France, nor knowingly buy French goods. I deeply regret that even a single drop of American blood was ever spilled to liberate the French, not once, but twice.

[NeonKnight]

The reality of Iraq speaks for itself,” an official said

Yes it does. It was a beautiful thing. Bush should be proud of our accomplishments in Iraq. Most Americans are.

[Wolfstar]

...it will turn into hatred.

In my personal case, it already has.

[nkycincinnatikid]

As a freeper remarked a long time ago " You can always count on France to be there when she needs you".

[Rebelbase]

"let France protect the EU."

Germany's reaction will be interesting.

[Wolfstar]

It's been a one sided effort since Yorktown.

Yes, and many Americans today don't know that France even turned on one of her greatest sons, the Marquis de Lafayette. To this day, Americans honor him more than does his own country. Following is a brief exerpt from an online biography:

After 1782 Lafayette became absorbed with questions of reform in France. He was one of the first to advocate a National Assembly, and worked toward the establishment of a constitutional monarchy during the years leading up to the French Revolution of 1791. These efforts cost him much of his support from the French nobility. As commander of the French National Guard Lafayette was forced to use force to put down crowd violence. By the 1791 he had lost most of his popularity with the people.

In 1792 he tried unsuccessfully to curb radicalism against the monarchy. The King and Queen would not accept his assistance, and the troops he tried to turn on the Paris mob would not follow his orders. He was denounced as a traitor and fled the country. Lafayette returned to France in 1800 and found his personal fortune had been confiscated.

[Wolfstar]

You can always count on France to be there when she needs you.

Well said.

[CasearianDaoist]

No, Russia's response will be interesting when Germany attempts to become a nuclear power. Can you imagine relying on the "nuclear umbrella" of the French? We should certainly take the entire EU out from under ours. This b@stard Chirac wants to sell high tech arms to the Chinese and he talks about a "return to shared values?" We share nothing but mutual contempt. I have had it with the Europeans. Had it!

[Prime Choice]

I hope to God we remember this French idiocy the NEXT time they get invaded. I for one would vote to let them deal with their own problems for a change.