Author Topic: France does a 180! (Read 1475 times)

StSanta · « **on:** March 13, 2003, 11:34:13 AM »

Now they want a unified UN and are in support of the US position!

Wonder what the US intelligence agencies have on them.

This is GOOD news, gentlemen. The war, like it or not, is inevitable. We need it to be according to Rule Of Law, or the US will stand in a bad position.

I disagree with the war, but know it is a reality and can understand the concerns. I personally think they are exaggerated but am open to the idea that the US administration knows more than me.

With a unified UN, the world will be safer in case of a war.

Phew.

Rasker · « **Reply #1 on:** March 13, 2003, 11:35:49 AM »

rumors are that US intelligence has pictures of France in a compromising position with Germany a number of years ago

Saurdaukar · « **Reply #2 on:** March 13, 2003, 11:36:16 AM »

Are you fluff'n kidding ME!?!?

Going to CNN.com now...

If true... this is excellent news. Excellent.

Toad · « **Reply #3 on:** March 13, 2003, 11:43:07 AM »

Where'd you get that Santa? Haven't seen or read anything on it here yet.

Saurdaukar · « **Reply #4 on:** March 13, 2003, 11:45:41 AM »

Just went to CNN and MSNBC... nothing there - where'd you get this?

Dago · « **Reply #5 on:** March 13, 2003, 11:48:20 AM »

Don't believe it, I think AKAK has it right. France is defending their illicit and illegal (in terms of UN resolutions) trading partner and hoping to hide their mercenary financial lust.

First take care of Iraq, then lets level France.

UNITED NATIONS - The fissure in the U.N. Security Council deepened Thursday when France rejected a British compromise on Iraq infuriating London and prompting the United States to consider postponing a vote on an ultimatum against Baghdad until next week.
Iraq, reveling in the turmoil at the council,
dismissed Britain's plan, which lists six
disarmament requirements Baghdad would have
to meet or else face "serious consequences."

Britain proposed the list in a bid to win votes on
the council for a U.S.-backed resolution
authorizing war unless Baghdad meets a
deadline. To sweeten the offer, British officials
also suggested pushing back the deadline from
Monday, as originally proposed by the United States.

France's flat rejection of the proposals clearly
angered British leaders. Foreign Secretary Jack
Straw called the French attitude "extraordinary."

Prime Minister Tony Blair (news - web sites)
feels the French "have become completely
intransigent and have literally threatened to veto
almost anything that is put forward to the U.N.
Security Council," Conservative Party leader
Iain Duncan Smith said after meeting with Blair
in London.

Rasker · « **Reply #6 on:** March 13, 2003, 11:49:50 AM »

just watching Fleischer's news conference on Fox News; nothing earthshaking yet, just scrollling references to "interesting comments" by the French.

apparently France rejected the British plan before Iraq did perhap France's punishment should be being forced to accept Saddam and his entourage in exile, but without their stolen money

StSanta · « **Reply #7 on:** March 13, 2003, 11:51:24 AM »

Just heard it on Danish news. Hold on, waiting for them to talk about it...will update soon.

Well, this is BS. They said France had changed their position, that France wanted a unified UN and that they'd say more later...

Went to the loo, came back...they didn't run the story. If this turns out to be a bogus publicity stunt from one of our national channels, I apologize to those reading this thread. Took it at face value, as it is usually an extremely reliable source of information.

Gonna check out some places to see if I can either verify or disprove this. But I am positive (as is my neighbor sitting right next to me) that they stated what I wrote in the initial post. 100% positive. Will know more in an hour :/

Dago · « **Reply #8 on:** March 13, 2003, 11:53:38 AM »

Word out of Iraq recently was that many of the Iraq military units are stocking up on white flags. How dare they equip themselves with the French national flag?

dago

Pepe · « **Reply #9 on:** March 13, 2003, 11:55:36 AM »

Posted on March 5th.:

... And don't bring the "honour" or the "hipocricy" or the "interests" flags around. Everyone here follows his own agenda, and France is paramount. They are only playing his cards to protect their national interests (Elf Aquitaine comes to mind). They are appearing as if they are defending the weak (Iraq) against the powerful (USA) but they will step with America once the war begins. Mark my words. In the very moment they perceive they have a losing hand, they will run for their share of the winning pie. French diplomacy is absolutely brilliant and excels over time. Arguably the most efficient in the world since Louis XIV. But that's it ....

The situation is not ripe yet. It will be when the US goes to war and they emerge as the "savers" and "mediators" between the US Army and Iraq's "resistance". Then they will appear as the humanitarian face, and the will appear as a peaceful nation who cares about international legality (UN).

IF one have to think in two brilliant actors in this situation, both Jack Straw and Villepen come to mind.

ra · « **Reply #10 on:** March 13, 2003, 12:32:50 PM »

Quote

IF one have to think in two brilliant actors in this situation, both Jack Straw and Villepen come to mind.

This is creative thinking indeed. You should write fiction.

Dead Man Flying · « **Reply #11 on:** March 13, 2003, 12:45:57 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Pepe
IF one have to think in two brilliant actors in this situation, both Jack Straw and Villepen come to mind.

Bringing France to the brink of nearly complete international irrelevancy by undermining the very organization through which it exercises international power is hardly brilliant.

France is playing a very dangerous game here. They may win the public relations and moral war when it's all said and done, but at a long-term cost that seems to far outweigh those benefits.

-- Todd/Leviathn

Rasker · « **Reply #12 on:** March 13, 2003, 01:07:17 PM »

Fox says France is expressing hope to reach a consensus. The Security Council will be meeting behind closed doors this afternoon. Apparently one sticking point is the inclusion of the ultimatum "or else" in the proposed US/British resolutions. France allegedly wants a separate, later vote on the "or else"

miko2d · « **Reply #13 on:** March 13, 2003, 01:07:27 PM »

Dead Man Flying: ...by undermining the very organization through which it exercises international power is hardly brilliant.

The organisation in question - UN - was created specifically to prevent aggression. Which is exactly what it is currently doing according to french.

I think calling them appeasers was the major mistake on the part of Bush administration and it's neocon media. By blaming french in what we really want them to do, we've effectively prevented them from submitting the bully's pressure and appeasing USA by giving us a green light to invasion.

We should have stuck to accusing them of financial dealings with iraqi's or weapons contracts, etc. - all things that can be given up in exchange for other considerations without losing face.

Iraq is miniscule in power compared to France and cannot bully it if it wanted to. The alleged contracts with Iraq are trifle compared to the french economy - which is so socialistic, that financial considerations would not play major role in their decision making anyway.

But the french, educated in arithmetics, know pretty well who is stronger than they and who is bullying them and it's not Iraq. We wish they were appeasers... We would have been in Iraq already.

miko

-tronski- · « **Reply #14 on:** March 13, 2003, 01:19:34 PM »

BBC News France aims to break Iraq deadlock

Tronsky