Posted on 11/05/2004 3:17:05 PM PST by Pokey78
FRANCE, Germany and Spain signalled a new alliance yesterday to strengthen the European Union’s political project as a counterbalance to the United States after the re-election of President Bush. The triple axis formed by “old Europe” powers, whose leaders were the most vociferous in opposing the Iraq war, was a rebuff to Tony Blair’s accusation that they were in a “state of denial” over the outcome of America’s presidential election.
“The confirmation of strong American politics leads naturally to the necessity to reinforce Europe politically and economically,” M Chirac said at an EU summit in Brussels. “Europe today has more than ever the need and necessity to reinforce its unity. That is the goal of the constitution. “It will help this reinforcement of European unity in the face of global powers in a world which is more multi-polar than ever.” The warning from Mr Blair, in an interview with The Times, was aimed chiefly at M Chirac and José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, Spain’s Prime Minister, who withdrew Spanish troops from Iraq and privately predicted a John Kerry victory to other European centre-left politicians. M Chirac and Señor Zapatero met in Brussels yesterday with Gerhard Schröder, the German Chancellor, and agreed to work more closely together to build a stronger Europe in response to the renewed mandate won by President Bush. One outcome is that the three leaders are to attend rallies in support of the European constitution in France and Spain, where referendums are to be held to endorse it; a referendum is unlikely to be held in Germany, whose constitution forbids it. Mr Blair has been trying to cement his political links with Herr Schröder and to build new economic ties with Spain, although he retains pro-war allies such as Silvio Berlusconi, Italy’s Prime Minister. Several European leaders called for better relations with Washington, although there was a sense among some that President Bush must curb the unilateralism that marked his first term. The summit communiqué looked forward to working with President Bush “including in multilateral institutions”. There were even rumours of a row over part of its text which “warmly” congratulated Mr Bush on his re-election. Señor Zapatero referred to the differences that remained between Europe and America, saying: “We are disposed to collaborate and to increase the transatlantic dialogue and to respect the positions of each other.” Jan Peter Balkenende, the Dutch Prime Minister who holds the rotating EU presidency, reinforced the hope for a new approach from Washington, saying: “I really hope after the election of George Bush he will invest in good relations with European countries.” Mr Blair, however, maintained there were signs that some European leaders had accepted his message and were willing to be more pragmatic in working with President Bush, particularly in restoring stability to Iraq ahead of January’s elections. “My sense just in talking to European leaders here and overnight is that people do understand this is the reality,” the Prime Minister told reporters in Brussels. Mr Blair and Iyad Allawi, the interim Iraqi Prime Minister who addressed EU leaders over lunch, made a concerted attempt to bury the controversy over Dr Allawi’s description of some countries who have not sent troops to Iraq as “spectators”, and M Chirac’s departure before they discussed Iraq. Dr Allawi said: “What I said really is history, it is history, the past is past. We need to start afresh and to open a new chapter and look to the future and develop our relations with countries in the world. We definitely want to forge a positive alliance with Europe.” M Chirac, who left before the lunch to fly to the United Arab Emirates, insisted this was not a snub and disclosed he had invited Ghazi Yawar, Iraq’s President, to Paris. EU leaders approved a modest €31.5 million (£22 million) package of support and training for Iraq’s elections. France and Germany offered Iraq bilateral debt relief, but there was clearly lingering anger at Dr Allawi over his reference to “spectators”, which soured his visit to the summit. Jean-Claude Juncker, the Prime Minister of Luxembourg and another critic of the war, said: “I don’t like the expression ‘spectator states’ at all. I don’t understand it, and if I do understand it right, I don’t like it at all.”
Jacques Chirac, France’s President, declared that the result left the world “more multi-polar than ever” and said that Europe must react by strengthening its political unity and press ahead with its new constitution.
Bring it on France.
Axis of Idiots
They are gathering at the Hague at this moment for a circle jerk.
Since the Eurotrash and all the other libs think we are trying to rule the world, maybe we should just go ahead and do it. Start with the pathetic E.U. In the words of Zell Miller, "what are they going to use, spitballs?"
The europussy army needs to be informed: all your balls are belong to us!
LOL!
The emerging Islamic Republic of Europistan sure is funny.
Thier entire economy is in the tank.
Unemployment is at pre-WW2 German levels.
They are just completely screwed.
I mean, what kinda society lets 12,000 people die in a heat wave. Sure as hell isn't western civilization.
The train is leaving the station. If old Europe doesn't get on board, too bad. We won't miss them while we bring democracy and individual freedom to the Middle East, but Europe will be busy appeasing Islamofascists within their own borders. Soon those who can will flee to Australia, NZ, Canada, and the US.
We just need to pull every bit of military out of Europe, like yesterday. When they start having to spend billions to defend against the mongol horde, they'll wish we were there.
Spain, Germany and France have a huge problem wihtin
their own borders. There are enough Muslims in those
3 nations alone to engage in a decent coup d'tat! An interesting read is found at this site.
http://www.npr.org/programs/atc/features/2003/feb/europe_muslims/
Only genuinely insecure men react to a freedom-loving country's reaffirmation of leadership by "strengthening their coalition". The only thing they have to fear is a) their corruption will be found out, b) their arms sales will be hurt, and c) the US (and Asia) will continue to make them look like the economic Barney Fifes that they are.
Every time the leftists here and in Europe speak we are treated to a window to their souls. They believe they are the only people fit to govern. It's no wonder that every path to the utopia they seek has led to millions dead. Worse, as illustrated by their stance on Iraq, they don't much care who dies at the hands tyrants and dictators. Instead, a liberator, is asked to appeal to them on bended knee. These people are deeply sick.
Maybe President Bush can appoint Zell Miller ambassador to France, Dennis Miller to Germany and Chuck Norris to Spain.
I have to admit, sometimes the idea is tempting.
But then you would have to rule them and honestly I would not wish that job on my worst ememy.
I say we just cut their access to contracts and pull our troops out. Which is what we are doing anyway.
From a post: "Spain, Germany and France have a huge problem within their own borders. There are enough Muslims in those 3 nations alone to engage in a decent coup d'tat!"
And how far is the US from having that problem - Besides ignoring the invasion of illegals - our government is also ignoring all the other foreigners - -
What was it M.M. claimed - by 2050 - about whites - Well it could be the same for real Americans - What is it that people of today want to leave their children's children - And Morris is already trying to say it was the Hisp. that won the election for President Bush -
If we sleep now - satisfied that President Bush won - the nation still can be defeated - Some plans they have in place are slow moving - our government needs to see that - and act now -
in my opinion -
And with that he set his befeathered helmet at a jaunty angle, clenched his jaw, and resolved to sit there just so until an apology was forthcoming.
All this is like the local city council playing their pre-scripted goodcop bad cop stuff.
Bush and Blair (I won't forget Poland) are two leaders with the balls to play bad cops.
Euroweenies are up to their necks in a potential muslim meltdown so they have to play good cops. I bet at some level they are cooperating for their own safety.
And in addition, they are loaded with all the other hate groups like skin-heads.....
Look at the Israeli situation. How many agreements have been broken? Arafat can't even keep anb agreement with death. How many timees has he been declared dead, now?
I say pull ALL our military out of Western Europe and let them fend for themselves.
Wars the France has lost France Vs. Prussia, France vs. Germany, France Vs. Nazi Germany, France Vs. Algeria, France vs. Vietnam, France vs. Egypt.mmmmmmm
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