July 4 takes on new meaning in France

AP | 7/04/03 | JULIA ZAPPEI

[kattracks]

PARIS (AP) — The July 4 holiday is taking on extra meaning this year for many French, offering a chance to repair frayed ties and honor U.S. sacrifices there.

Despite differences over the Iraq war, many citizen groups and tourism promoters hope to use the occasion to point out that France has long been — and will remain — a friend of the United States.

More than in years past, France wants to provide an "extra welcome" to American visitors this year, Paris tourism officials say. An array of festivities are planned.

From offering free champagne to cooking up barbecue meals, more than 100 Paris hotels, restaurants and other establishments will reach out to American guests Friday, the Paris tourist office said.

A grass-roots initiative led by about two dozen veterans, educational and French-American groups Thursday began placing 67,500 roses on memorials and tombs to honor U.S. soldiers who fought in France in the two world wars.

"Many people — Americans and French — needed this," said one organizer, Anne-Colombe de la Taille. "We've seen the U.S.-French relationship break down, so we wish to give a strong signal about the U.S.-French friendship that has existed for such a long time."

In an open letter titled "The French have not forgotten," the groups pointed out that France was the first country to recognize an independent America, and said this year marks the 225th anniversary of a U.S.-French friendship treaty.

"It's like a family. There are conflicts, but in the end one remains a family. You stay together," said de la Taille, who once lived in the United States and whose daughter was born there.

Whether because of a weak U.S. dollar or lingering concerns about France's opposition to the U.S.-led war on Iraq, visits by Americans to Paris have plunged recently. Tourism was down nearly 25 percent in the first four months of the year compared to a year earlier, according to the capital's tourism office.

[kattracks]

....visits by Americans to Paris have plunged recently. Tourism was down nearly 25 percent in the first four months of the year compared to a year earlier...

How touching. The French really do love..... our $$$.

[DB]

They'd pimp anything for a buck.

[patj]

Geez, what is it again that you call people that sell themselves for money?

[chainsaw]

When we needed them they wern't there. Now they are hurting and want to make up. Why don't they just court the Iraqi$? Maybe Saddam will turn up on thier shores and they can collect the reward.

[RAY]

Sorry, the French leadership can go to hell!

[slasher82]

Did anyone else FORGET their "RSVP's" to the French barbecues? @&*%#@$^@% Darn it, I was so looking forward to that also.

[Diogenesis]

France and the Arafats are family.

France and terrorists are family.

Au revoir, France.

[MissouriForBush]

French efforts: too little, too late...

[appeal2]

...iIt's like a family. There are conflicts, but in the end one remains a family...

If my wife did to me what the French did to us, she would find herself out on the street without a cent.

[mewzilla]

What's France?

[Mogger]

If they REALLY want ot "make up", they can cough up their WWII war debt to us... plus interest.

Otherwise, screw France.

No more Michelin tires, or anything else French for me.

No more Burndy (FCI) wire connectors, etc.

[wayoverontheright]

"It's like a family. There are conflicts, but in the end one remains a family.

Sorry, family wouldn't interfere with our self defense. The French delay of our effort in Iraq gave Saddam more time to plan to kill American boys and girls. No doubt our "family's" actions resulted in dead Americans.

We will take longer to forget than our "family" took to forget our dead boys buried in the hillsides of France.

[evad]

How touching. The French really do love..... our $$$.

Yes, they do.

The pFrench better enjoy as much of their country while they can cuz it won't last too much longer.

alluh is coming and the feckless french leadership will do nothing about it.

[Highest Authority]

In France, it's the LAW: Only females may be born with testicles!

[OpusatFR]

"...From offering free champagne to cooking up barbecue meals,..."

And they probably lump us all into a generic BBQ sauce. Why on earth would I go to France to celebrate the 4th when I can get the best BBQ in the world right here.

(This isn't meant to start a regional BBQ war although I think Carolina is superior to all of the other regions.)

[Malesherbes]

I still can't get the image of Woody Allen "French kissing" his wife/step-daughter out of my mind.

In any case, it was Louis XVI,not Jacques Chirac, who helped us in our Revolution.

And another thing - what are the Germans going to do to be friends again? Free beer? And the Belgians? Free chocolate?

[schaketo]

No more Michelin tires, or anything else French for me.

How ironic. I have used Michelins for years. I am replacing 4 tires on a jeep this Monday. I called the local Goodyear dealer. I will NEVER mount Michelins again as long as they are owned and operated by a frog owned company. And that goes for the list of thousands of other frog owned entities as well.

[NonValueAdded]

I have but two words of advice for the French: "Regime change"

[MissAmericanPie]

If it were just the French leadership there would be no boycott. The majority of the citizens of France were right in line with their governments views.

As far as many are concerned France no longer exists as an ally. France has dropped to being less than a third world nation with a vauge name one can't recall. And for some Americans it will never change for them again in their lifetimes.

[cyberjet31]

I say, Too little, too late...