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| Europe |
| Chirac: Transfer should take months, not years |
| 2003-09-18 |
| Edited for brevity. French President Jacques Chirac said Thursday he would like to see a transfer of power in Iraq in a matter of "months," as he and German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder renewed their push for a quick return to sovereignty. Chirac, speaking to reporters after talks with Schroeder, said France wants a quick transfer of power to Iraqis. "When I say as quickly as possible, I of course mean months, not years," he said. Chirac’s remarks about "months" did not in any way indicate a change of position, said a French presidential spokesman, speaking on condition of anonymity. France has demanded a quick timetable on transfering power as a condition for accepting a U.S.-proposed resolution on Iraq at the United Nations. On Friday, French Foreign Minister Dominique de Villepin called for the provisional government in a month, a draft constitution by year’s end and elections next spring. Gee, guys, I don’t know. It’s hard to ignore Chirac’s position on this because he is somewhat of an expert on the subject. After all, it only took six weeks for France to transfer power to Germany in 1940. |
| Posted by:Dar |
| #18 We're probably going to be lucky if we can stay longer in Iraq more than two or three years but there are basics that have to be done before we can even dream of leaving. Of course, Paris doesn't care. Just bring back the people who gave us the sweetheart business deals |
| Posted by: Hiryu 2003-9-19 1:11:54 PM |
| #17 --And if George Bush is able to put the past 12 months aside I think significant progress can be made. -- You wrote that. I could have wrongly assumed you meant how he/we was/were treated by phrawnce and the UN. |
| Posted by: Anonymous 2003-9-19 1:25:54 AM |
| #16 Anonymous I didn't quite understand your statement. |
| Posted by: True German Ally 2003-9-18 10:47:57 PM |
| #15 TGA, it's not only W who might have to put the last 12 months aside, it's the US. And phrawnce. Between this and the mosque statement, makes me wonder if someone got some very important intel as to boomers, chem/bio. Either that or the jig is up and Chiraq knows it. Wonder what documents were found? Or is it the US economy and our boycott? Tony not exactly going down? All/ pieces or none of the above?? I would have loved to have been a fly on the wall. Man, I hope I'm around when the books come out. |
| Posted by: Anonymous 2003-9-18 10:30:19 PM |
| #14 Frank G, you hear a lot of lofty joint Chirac/Schroeder declarations (economy etc). But look behind the scene and you'll find France panicking about what Bush and Schroeder may have to discuss on Wednesday in New York. The split is not talked about openly. But it's there. France wouldn't mind the U.S. failing in Iraq (insert your favorite reasons). Germany definitely wants the U.S. (and U.N.) to succeed in Iraq, because Schroeder is at least smart enough to realize that a failure would have most serious consequences for Europe as well (a point the French in their incredible vanity seem to ignore). The German media leaves no doubt about that either. Germany WILL contribute in some ways, I think Tony Blair will have some interesting things to say as well in Berlin. And Blair gets along better with Schroeder than with Chirac. You don't hear Schroeder repeating Chirac's BS about that "transfer of power in months". Actually you don't hear anyone (except the most radical loonies) in Germany backing the French on that one. And if George Bush is able to put the past 12 months aside I think significant progress can be made. The comments in the German press about France aren't exactly heart warming (for the French). You may have noted Germany's abstention in the UNSC regarding Arafat. |
| Posted by: True German Ally 2003-9-18 9:12:34 PM |
| #13 watching Fox this afternoon, I get the impression there's been a split between Germany and France. Shroeders' saying it will take time to do it right and starting to warm to contributing to the effort. France is still playing their games, thinking we're Libya. Any news, TGA? |
| Posted by: Frank G 2003-9-18 7:49:05 PM |
| #12 If we really get jumping in Iraq, with the UN's help we could be out by Kwanza. HARAMBEE! |
| Posted by: Alaska Paul 2003-9-18 6:21:46 PM |
| #11 We could even have a "Twelve days of Christmas: The Socalist Version" album for Christmas. |
| Posted by: Charles 2003-9-18 5:20:56 PM |
| #10 "The Dirty Dozen"? Chirac could be the Telly Savalas character. |
| Posted by: Steve White 2003-9-18 4:58:02 PM |
| #9 If we add Chirac and Schroeder to the ten democratic candidates then we could have a remake of "the Twelve Bastards". |
| Posted by: JFM 2003-9-18 3:34:04 PM |
| #8 I could think of two countries that could need a transfer of power within weeks. Ok, I'm working on that for one. |
| Posted by: True German Ally 2003-9-18 3:10:05 PM |
| #7 Why is it that everytime I hear Chirac I think of Wormtongue of 'Lord of the Rings'... |
| Posted by: CrazyFool 2003-9-18 2:58:56 PM |
| #6 OK, how about thirty of 'em? Forty eight would be fine by me. :) |
| Posted by: Bomb-a-rama 2003-9-18 2:57:35 PM |
| #5 Somebody better tell Jacques and Gerhard that we already have way too many candidates running for the Democratic nomination. They don't stand a chance. Besides, the party symbol is a donkey, not a frog or an ass. |
| Posted by: Tom 2003-9-18 2:07:39 PM |
| #4 Months, heh? OK, how about thirty of 'em? |
| Posted by: John Anderson 2003-9-18 2:05:21 PM |
| #3 LMAO! France Demands? Of who? France nor Germany has ANY experience with handing over a country to a DEMOCRATIC type government. Six months? Based on what? I think France and Germany think way too much of themselves |
| Posted by: Cyber Sarge (VRWC CA Chapter) 2003-9-18 1:52:36 PM |
| #2 he was elected in 2002 with a 5 yr trm. If the transfer takes years, he tends to lame duck status, and won't get his cut of any bribes and payoffs for ELF-Aquitane |
| Posted by: Frank G 2003-9-18 1:36:19 PM |
| #1 Hmmmmm. Chirac vetoed every decision to use force in Iraq. Chirac has harped and bitched about every decision the United States and its willing allies in Iraq have made. Chirac has threatened to veto any further United Nations actions in Iraq that don't conform to his personal ideas about what should happen in Iraq. Chirac - and France - also stand to lose billions for their activities in Iraq prior to the war. Gee, wonder why he wants a transfer of power so fast... Tell the little weasel to shut his face, or we'll skin him and use his pelt to polish our (British-made) shoes. |
| Posted by: Old Patriot 2003-9-18 1:26:00 PM |