Le Figaro declares Bush 'big winner' in Iraqi vote

Expatica ^ | 01/31/05 | AFP

[Pikamax]

Le Figaro declares Bush 'big winner' in Iraqi vote

PARIS, Jan 31 (AFP) - US President George W. Bush is "the big winner" of the Iraqi elections, which have raised the possibility of him withdrawing his troops, French newspapers said Monday.

The conservative daily Le Figaro said Bush had a victory by seeing the elections carried out at all, despite violence gripping Iraq, and that now several questions should be posed, among them: "And if, with this occasion, the Americans discover the beginning of an exit strategy?"

The presence of US troops was fuelling the insurgency even as ordinary Iraqis grew tired of the ongoing bloodshed to which they were subjected, it said, arguing that the elections now set the country on the right path.

"Ignorant

of the world and blinded by their power, the Americans often only arrive at the right solution after having exhausted all the alternatives," Le Figaro said, paraphrasing Winston Churchill.

Liberation, a left-leaning newspaper, also hailed Sunday's polls held against all odds, saying the strong turnout revealed the insurgents as "a violent minority whose power to persuade or intimidate is exerted only on part of the Sunni minority."

The test for the government that is to be formed from the results will be to steer clear of a theocracy or a Shiite monopoly, and to negotiate with the Sunnis to avoid ethnic strife.

It also said the new Iraqi leaders must set about organising the rapid withdrawal of the foreign forces in their country because "more and more, they are part of the problem rather than the solution."

[westmichman]

It would only take a small "violent minority" to overrun France!

[Billthedrill]

"Ignorant of the world and blinded by their power, the Americans often only arrive at the right solution after having exhausted all the alternatives," Le Figaro said, paraphrasing Winston Churchill.

But not this time. There were plenty of other alternatives recommended by numerous European "friends," such as immediate withdrawal, replacement of Saddam with a strong man, returning Saddam to a seat we'd "illegally" removed him from...this course of action wasn't blundered into, it was worked for, and it would be nice to hear somebody admit it, however grudgingly.

[freedomcrusader]

Liberation, a left-leaning newspaper, also hailed Sunday's polls held against all odds, saying the strong turnout revealed the insurgents as "a violent minority whose power to persuade or intimidate is exerted only on part of the Sunni minority."

Gee, wish Bush and conservatives had said that before the election...oh wait, they did. Only idiot French-frog moronic cheese-eating surrender monkey pantywaist nancy-boy liberals were so stupid as to think otherwise before the election.

[skullocrushah]

my oh my how shred le figaro is in her analysis! haha

[stboz]

It would only take a small "violent minority" to overrun France!

To quote the Sundance Kid, "What do they have there that you could possibly want to buy?"

[Unam Sanctam]

For people who have objectively been following this, the election is simply one more step in the same process we have been following for more than a year -- staged transition to democracy and training up Iraqi security. That has always been the exit strategy and always will be. The Euros and the Dems now think that this is the "beginning" of an exit strategy? The trouble is that they have believed their own propaganda about how only negative things happen in Iraq and not positive things.

[doug from upland]

This president does not need to be called the winner. He has a vision and knows the right thing to do no matter what people think or say. He will continue to do so. He answers to the Constitution and to God.

[bubman]

"It also said the new Iraqi leaders must set about organising the rapid withdrawal of the foreign forces in their country because "more and more, they are part of the problem rather than the solution."

Now we know where Oldsmobile Kennedy gets his talking points from!!!

[-=Wing_0_Walker=-]

"Americans discover the beginning of an exit strategy" It has ALWAYS been our exit strategy. No new discovery here.

[snowsislander]

"Ignorant of the world and blinded by their power, the Americans often only arrive at the right solution after having exhausted all the alternatives,"

Contrary to Le Figaro's formulation, who has instead been proven to be willfully ignorant of the world and blinded by that ignorance? Might it not be France?

Indeed, President Bush's formulation has proven to be far more idealistic -- and far more powerful. Now if we can find the courage to continue down what has proven to be a challenging but fruitful path without adopting the crippling cynicism of France, an affection of worldliness that is anything but.

[Northern Yankee]

Thought you might find of interest.

[CBart95]

Why on earth would any sane person give one shit what Le Figaro has to say about any subject on earth?

[Dolphy]

For people who have objectively been following this, the election is simply one more step in the same process we have been following for more than a year -- staged transition to democracy and training up Iraqi security.

I just have no idea what these people are talking about half the time. I suppose if they go on a cross country drive it's a complete failure every hour before they reach their destination. And then there is Joe Biden who has repeatedly said that there are only 4,000 trained Iraqi security forces. I wonder how they managed to man over 5,000 polling places.

[Finalapproach29er]

It would only take a small "violent minority" to overrun France!
-----
If that happens, the USA better invade and get France's nukes.

[Kelly_2000]

"Thought you might find of interest."

Yes it is thank you for the ping!

(sigh) No one can deny that the elections in Iraq are not a good thing. This is typical of Le Figaro, just I hope that people in the USA do not assume that this is the intent and thought of the majority of French people.

No one in the USA would want to be associated or thought to sympathise with the views and editorials of the liberal and left wing media for example. In the main the media in France tends to tow the bipartisan line and therefore these comments disappoint me but do not surprise me to be honest.

[eyespysomething]

despite violence gripping Iraq

Gripping, gripping I tell ya!

[dfwgator]

Gee, glad they approve...*yawn*.

[Northern Yankee]

As you know, we see the same struggles in this country. The perception of those overseas must see the same thing as we do for France.

Like America, we do believe that the majority of the Main Stream Media continues to neglect the views of most people.

My daughter, while she was in France, was so heartened to see the many people of France who love this country.

[Kelly_2000]

Hi NY,

I am glad you agree :-) For too long French people have been seen as standing behind Chirac or Villepin word for word. Like most countries we are prideful people and yes arrogant also. BUT do we all share the view of the current government or the Liberal Media in France or for that matter some of the conservative ones ? NON MONSIEUR!!!

Your daughter will find many millions more like those that have an affinity for the USA from tradition and historical sacrifice. The reason the Statue of Liberty is a common symbol is not forgotten by most French. I see here sometimes and I do not blame anyone for their opinions, that the perception is that we in France hate the USA or disapprove of the war on terror. The only thing many French disapprove of in Iraq, is that French soldiers are not there also. Of course you have a different opinion form the French left wing and liberal voices, but those must be suffered in the USA also :-)

Tomorrow I hope with the success of democracy over terror in Iraq brings a new dawn for American and French relations. I just hope that the sour losers on our liberal left wing can swallow some large helpings of crow. Bon Appetit LOL !! :-)