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| Europe |
| French Ambassador talks to RAND w/Rose Colored Glasses On |
| 2003-08-25 |
| From Summer 2003 RAND Review.... NATO and the European Union (EU) have certainly endured crises in the last year, but such conflicts will ultimately lead to stronger, more unified organizations, according to France’s Ambassador to the United States Jean-David Levitte, who spoke recently at RAND. The ambassador acknowledged that the U.S.-led war on Iraq had shaken NATO but said that the organization has since recovered. NATO enlargement also signals the beginning of a new era, he said. That’s an understatement. "We are transforming NATO into a completely different organization," said Levitte. "The Soviet Union has disappeared, and the threat now is I’ll let Rantburgers reply to that one! Levitte reminded the audience that the European Constitution is now being prepared. "If all goes well, in a few months, Europeans will have a president—a man, a voice, a face for the European Union." However, Levitte emphasized that the goal of creating a constitutionally unified Europe is not to build a counterweight to U.S. power. Developing a common defense and foreign policy will help create "a common force strong enough to take care of crises at our own doors," he said, referring to the past Balkan crises. To do that you are going to need horspower in you military, and that will take some serious funding and manpower commitments. If you want to run with the big dogs, you better stop pissing like a puppy. |
| Posted by:Alaska Paul |
| #7 Lots of luck, Euro folks. You'll need plenty of it with guys like this in charge. |
| Posted by: Anonymous 2003-8-25 11:20:43 PM |
| #6 "....the problem is terrorism." NO,the problem is Islamic terrorism,not some vague,anonymous terrorist.If you don't know what the problem is,you can't solve it. |
| Posted by: Stephen 2003-8-25 9:47:37 PM |
| #5 "If all goes well, in a few months, Europeans will have a president—a man, a voice, a face for the European Union." Umm...yay ? (Looks around, sees he is alone, walks away redfaced) |
| Posted by: Carl in NH 2003-8-25 9:25:08 PM |
| #4 Another frog croaks. France expects to triple their "power" by being France and by manipulating the EU and NATO. Hell, give 'em the U.N. too. It can't move to Paris fast enough to suit me. When all their diplomatic maneuvering is done, GWB and I still don't give a hoot what they have to say about anything that counts. |
| Posted by: Tom 2003-8-25 9:05:38 PM |
| #3 I predict a short life (relatively) for the EU - french bullying or the franco/German economic ills will kill the bon homie. I wouldn't be surprised to see french economic duplicity and spying be the cause.....whores |
| Posted by: Frank G 2003-8-25 8:58:35 PM |
| #2 All aboard for Europe's new Treaty of Versailles! |
| Posted by: Dishman 2003-8-25 8:52:11 PM |
| #1 The EU will NEVER fund a truly capable military until they cut their socialist spending - something no European will allow to happen. Their programs are all self-defeating. What will eventually happen is the implosion of the "heart" of socialist Europe (France, Belgium, possibly Germany), which will create a vaccuum strong enough to pull several other European states down with it. The collapse will be immense, painful, and last for months, if not years. Scandinavia would be wise to opt out now, along with Italy and Spain. The trade and tariff agreements, 'open' borders, and similar treaties should remain - they're beneficial. A united Europe, especially under a French-authored 'Constitution', will be a disaster. |
| Posted by: Old Patriot 2003-8-25 8:41:39 PM |