France issues 'please explain' to US

DinoDoc · May 17, 2003, 00:36

Quote:

May 16, 2003

FRENCH Foreign Minister Dominique de Villepin has confirmed Paris has asked Washington to clarify relations between the two countries, following what he called a campaign of "disinformation" against France in the US media.

"We cannot accept that unfounded criticism against France develops in this way," the minister said yesterday.

"That there are differences, that there are differing choices, that is one thing. That we are pulled into such a controversy is not acceptable," he told journalists after an EU meeting on the future of Europe.

De Villepin confirmed press reports that French ambassador to Washington Jean-David Levitte had sent a letter to top US presidential aides and politicians complaining of a nine-month "organised campaign of disinformation" via media stories sourced to anonymous US officials.

In the letter, the ambassador complained that US President George W Bush's administration had done little in public to quell anti-French sentiment created by false news stories.

The White House and the Pentagon swiftly rejected any allegation that there was an orchestrated effort to spread disinformation about France, which drew Washington's ire by opposing the war to oust the Iraqi dictator.

A spokesman for Bush, Scott McClellan, said: "There is, I don't think, any basis in fact to it," before making light of recent tensions.

De Villepin called for an end to US animosity.

"We want to work with our friends and American allies in a spirit of responsibility, of truth and of clarity.

Is there a problem? Let's deal with it. Do not let rumour come between us. This is not worthy of the relations between our two countries," de Villepin continued.

Relations between Washington and Paris soured when France became the leading opponent in the UN Security Council to the US-led war in Iraq.

But Paris has grown more worried about the official US response, especially after top Bush aides met recently to discuss what consequences France should suffer for seeking to block military action to oust deposed Iraqi president Saddam Hussein.

"We want to clarify things, to explain France's position, point out how these accusations, this disinformation are unfounded, de Villepin said.

"We have decided on a campaign of explanation and therefore our ambassador is today addressing a letter to various officials" and lawmakers on all the accusations and on France's true position, he added.

De Villepin said he had "great regard" for US Secretary of State Colin Powell "and I know that he is a courageous man".

"There are difficulties so we will talk, He will be in Paris in a few days time".

Powell will travel to Paris next week, becoming the highest-level US cabinet member to visit France since the Iraq war caused a major split between the countries, State Department officials said yesterday.

Powell is to arrive in the French capital next Thursday for a May 22-23 Group of Eight foreign ministers meeting that will precede the June 1-3 G8 leaders summit in Evian, the officials told AFP.

The Associated Press

http://www.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,4057,6444789%255E1702,00.html

cia · May 17, 2003, 00:44

The French are, to put it succinctly, screwed

cinch · May 17, 2003, 00:49

I do think they have a point.

GePap · May 17, 2003, 00:49

I doubt the francophobia will subside in the US: the Iraqis were never a good enemy, and lord knows the admin. will never mention his name again, so they need someone to pick on, and since france bashing is so well established, well, there you go.

cia · May 17, 2003, 00:59

The French live entirely by their own agenda, and I have no problem with that. Just don't complain when the US does the same and choose carefully when you wish to oppose, lest some unpleasantness befall. The French wiill lose money from Iraq, but that's just too bad. Don't whine that the French stance is from some higher moral ground though.

Kirnwaffen · May 17, 2003, 01:13

You can't tell me they didn't expect this. While the behavior is a bit immature, it is very much the same thing that the French administration has been doing for some time with regards to the US (using anti-US sentiment as a political crutch, that is). To expect the US administration would do any different when the opportunity arose would be, well, optimistic.

TCO · May 17, 2003, 01:14

The French can just take it. The surprise from them is amusing. I really don't feel any need to explain crap to them. They can figure it out on their own. They want to play hardball, fine. Let the chips fall where they may.

Ted Striker · May 17, 2003, 01:16

Tell 'em Navy!

USA!

LoneWolf · May 17, 2003, 01:17

I just don't understand why they insist on continuing the silly fiction that we are "friends and allies".

They certainly do have nerve, though.

SlowwHand · May 17, 2003, 01:18

Suffice to say, the French evidently aren't the sharpest knives in the drawer.

SlowwHand · May 17, 2003, 01:23

http://www.pave-france.org/

LoneWolf · May 17, 2003, 01:25

Fabulous link, Slow!!

Nubclear · May 17, 2003, 01:45

I drew another picture!!!

Its fun.

LoneWolf · May 17, 2003, 01:48

Kewl!!!!!

Nubclear · May 17, 2003, 01:49

Of course, that thing on the left is Bush.

LoneWolf · May 17, 2003, 01:50

Yes, of course.

SlowwHand · May 17, 2003, 01:54

Tassadar, you're one strange puppy.

gsmoove23 · May 17, 2003, 01:56

Its beautiful Tassadar, I'll hang it on the wall right next to my nephews macaroni artwork.

DinoDoc · May 17, 2003, 01:57

Quote:

Originally posted by Tassadar5000
I drew another picture!!!

Its fun.

You have poor MS Paint skills.

notyoueither · May 17, 2003, 01:59

Quote:

Originally posted by Tassadar5000
Of course, that thing on the left is Bush.

I thought it was your cat.

HershOstropoler · May 17, 2003, 02:00

The French are just too damn polite. They should take off the velvet gloves in dealing with the US.

LoneWolf · May 17, 2003, 02:01

Damn right, and so should we. As I have said many times, enough of this "allies" crap.

Nubclear · May 17, 2003, 02:01

Quote:

Originally posted by DinoDoc
You have poor MS Paint skills.

Its beautiful! Just ask Gsmoove

cia · May 17, 2003, 02:01

The French only have velvet gloves

oh, and maybe silk...

Inverse Icarus · May 17, 2003, 02:02

right. France =F*cked;

TCO · May 17, 2003, 02:04

The French are so polite. Yes, everybody says that about them...not.

cia · May 17, 2003, 02:06

The French are polite, to Germans...ahhhh, that explains it. The US just needs to invade them from Germany and they will fall into line bwahahaha!

notyoueither · May 17, 2003, 02:09

Naw, you'd have to thrash them thrice to learn 'em real manners in your direction. At least, that's what it took the Germans.

notyoueither · May 17, 2003, 02:12

Maybe it only takes twice. They rolled over like a good ***** the third time. Hmmm...

Kidicious · May 17, 2003, 02:13

I have to agree with the regular Francebashers here. It's not polite to keep bringing up old diferences between 'friends' or 'allies.' If the French want to get along with us they should never mention this again. Nothing productive can come from it. They would do well not to try to 'work things out.'