I dont think Bush's trip to Turkey and this announcements timing are accidental....
nor were the kidnapping of Turks by accident either.
I agree it may well be timed to take the stonewalling of any progress by France at the meetings in Turkey off the front page, but it will not work in the French worshipping newspapers. I am just saying, this is one ceremony that Bush might do better for himself by staying away even if he could safely go.
We want this government to not be seen as hand picked by the US. It wasn't but the perception is important too.