France Calls for Fresh Start in Relations with U.S.

[SillyGoose]

PARIS (Reuters) - France wants a fresh start in relations with the United States and both sides have much to contribute to a renewed transatlantic partnership, Foreign Minister Michel Barnier said in comments published Monday.

He made the remarks before a visit to Paris Tuesday by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice aimed in part at repairing ties damaged by the U.S.-led war in Iraq, which France opposed.

"The moment has come for a fresh start in our relations," Barnier said in an interview with the French daily Liberation which was conducted late last week.

"Alliance doesn't signify allegiance," he said, underlining the need for a mutual partnership. "A renewed transatlantic alliance must be based on two pillars (European and American)."

<more at link>

http://reuters.myway.com/article/20050207/2005-02-07T124146Z_01_L07582503_RTRIDST_0_NEWS-FRANCE-USA-DC.html

MNods: sorry if this is a dupe - I had trouble with the search function.

[Mari333]

1. Dont cave in, mes amis! n/t

[Ganja Ninja]

2. Bad timing, better wait another four years cause dumbshit ...

is still in charge and he has plenty fresh outrage planned.

[Name removed]

3. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[tabasco]

8. Wow, what an intelligent comment.

I suspect it's the height of your intellect.

[Spazito]

4. I am not worried that France will 'cave'...

this is just European niceties as it has always been. When it comes to hard-line politics, not much has changed and the US now needs France and Germany more than they need the US, imo, because there is a desperation to try and get their troops into Iraq via NATO.

Edited to improve my poor sentence structure.

[Kolesar]

5. But the US gov't has to end the anti-French propaganda campaign

I recall a post a while ago that France complained that the US gov't was actively stoking hatred against France.

[htuttle]

6. Diplomats announce they can learn to work with the Bush administration

After all, he's only invaded TWO countries at this point. They can learn to overlook that as long as he doesn't invade any more...


'Peace in Our Time' announced.


The past doesn't repeat itself, but sometimes it rhymes. -- Mark Twain

[struggle4progress]

10. I count at least three overt invasions: AFGH, HAIT, IRAQ

[BrklynLiberal]

7. That is too bad. I would like to see "Old Europe" totally cut off all

diplomatic and economic relations with the US. I know that would cause us all severe hardships, but it would be the lesson that everyone needs to learn about where Bush is taking this country. It would be the shortcut to the ultimate place he and his minions are taking us. This way everyone wuold be able to see the results of his policies while he is still in office, instead of having to wait 20 years down the road.

[agitpropagent9]

9. good

this is great news, along with the easing of tensions with germany.