France Warns Against War, Hints at Veto

Reuters ^

[Mr. Bird]

Need Help, I want to buy a credible book regarding Frances modern history

No suggestions, but I bet when you read the part about their criticisms of the U.S. in Vietnam, beer will shoot out your nose.

[CanadianBacon]

When dealing with the French you must realize that they only do things that are in their self-interest. Morality is not a factor.

If Iraq promised France access for the French state-controlled oil companies to the Iraqi oilfields if the they can stop a U.S. attack, the French would turn on the U.S. in a heartbeat.

[ffusco]

Khan!

[Robe]

Not a complete history, but a book dealing with the Isreali bombing of the Iraqi nuclear reactor back in 1981.
Called "Bullseye One" (Don't have the author at hand)
It puts Chirac right in the mix, strong arming Frances'Atomic Commision to allow the sale of not only the reactor but the 95% PURE FUEL to go with it. Good read

[Jim Noble]

>>Why does France not want to have their own vote upheld?<<

Perhaps there are some French machines, and some French material, lying in wait in Iraq to destroy a certain "shitty little country"?

[Billthedrill]

Good news, actually. French diplomatic incompetence may will put an end to UN diplomatic incompetence. Nothing wrong with a "two-fer."

[The Wizard]

this is a false lead headline...I watched the presser and basically they called on Iraq to "get with the program" by 2-14

[Jim Noble]

>>I often wonder how much the decline in the characters of the French and Germans is a result of the destruction of their aristocracies<<

I think the genetic effects of the European War 1914-1945 were profound. Good point.

[MadIvan]

I'd never thought I'd see the day when France would burn their bridges so badly with any nation besides Britain. But they've done it. I doubt anyone in America is going to forget this treachery.

Regards, Ivan

[Dan Day]

"We haven't gone to the end, far from it...there is still an alternative to war," Chirac said after meeting Finnish Prime Minister Paavo Lipponen in Paris.

"...par exemple, nous pourrions la reddition immobile, qui n'a pas été essayée encore ", Chirac continued. ("for example, we could still surrender, that has not been tried yet".)

[rbmillerjr]

The French are scum.

Rationally, they certainly are not our allies. I want to see Richard Perle's policy suggestion of containing them carried out. I have had it with those POS.

They put 99% of their international political capacity into thwarting US policies. If we put 5% of our political capital into containing them - we will be 99% effective. Then again, Senegal could likely do the same.

[tomahawk]

France is not an ally, it is an enemy. It is Saddam's ally.

[smith288]

France obviously is hiding something

[rbmillerjr]

"Chirac continued. ("for example, we could still surrender, that has not been tried yet".)"

True in the context of this week.

[Dog Gone]

I'm far less concerned about the diplomatic damage to the UN, which is a corrupt and poorly-designed institution, than I am to the damage being done to NATO. That has been a useful and stabilizing tool in bringing eastern Europe into the Western fold.

It's entirely possible that a new alliance will have to be formed, leaving out France and Germany. What that would do to the EU is open to the imagination.

[mlo]

"We haven't gone to the end, far from it...there is still an alternative to war,"

There is ALWAYS an alternative to war. It's never too late to surrender.

[steve-b]

Looks like Blair got doublecrossed by the French

Hey, Tony, take a number and wait in line for your turn.

[RightWhale]

Those French are also concerned the American buildup in Guam! will cause the "mer de feu" in Seoul. It's been a while, but didn't the decay of the West begin in France about the middle of the 19th century? Of course, nobody can do decadence like the French.

[steve-b]

I suspect that Dubya's people are behind the scenes warning the French that the invasion is going to happen, and if they veto the UN resolution then there will be an active investigation (as opposed to what is bound to turn up in the normal course of affairs) to expose how much of Saddam's WMD machinery carries the "MADE IN FRANCE" label.

A game of "chicken", indeed....

[Thorondir]

Oh, gosh. The French spectator walked out of the theater? Oh, well, on with the show!