CHIRAC'S APOLOGY TO QUEEN

Skynews.com ^ | 04/03/03 | Skynews

[bedolido]

French President Jacques Chirac has sent a letter of apology to the Queen over the defacing of British war graves in northern France.

The World War One graves were daubed with anti-British slogans in bright red spray paint.

"These unacceptable and disgraceful acts are unanimously condemned by the French people. In the name of France and in my own name, please accept my deepest regrets," Chirac wrote.

In words aimed at soothing the rift over France's opposition to the US and UK-led war in Iraq, Chirac said: "Know that at a time when your soldiers are engaged in combat, the thoughts of the French are naturally with them."

'Saddam will win'

The entrance of the cemetery in Etaples, near Calais had been daubed with several offensive slogans.

"Dig up your rubbish, it is contaminating our soil," one read.

Written in large red letters beneath a swastika, another said: "Saddam will win and he will make you bleed".

French Foreign Minister Dominique de Villepin has written to his British counterpart Jack Straw to express his "emotion and indignation at this unspeakable act".

No excuse

The graffiti was cleaned off by the French branch of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, which manages the site, but not before it was seen by British tourists on two coaches.

Of the roughly 11,000 graves at Etaples, most are British but other nationalities include Canadians and Australians. There are no US graves at the site.

France's relations with the United States and Britain have been soured by French opposition to the war in Iraq but officials in Paris stressed this was no excuse for venting hatred.

"France knows what it owes to the formidable devotion and courage of the British soldiers that came to help it free itself in the fight against barbarity," Chirac wrote to the Queen.

[BruceS]

"These unacceptable and disgraceful acts are unanimously condemned by the French people. In the name of France and in my own name, please accept my deepest regrets," Chirac wrote.

This must mean that someone other than the "French people" did this. Who? Did some Germans or Belgians sneak into France during the night and do this? Inquiring minds want to know.

[ZULU]

When he said "them", he was probably refering to Prince Charles, an early Saddam Booster and War opponent.

Perhaps Prince Chalres will never get to be King and one of his sons will succeed him. Neither one can be as dense as he is.

[Mister Baredog]

"These unacceptable and disgraceful acts are unanimously condemned by the French people. In the name of France and in my own name, please accept my deepest regrets," Chirac wrote

Obviously not condemned by ALL the French people, someone did it. Chirac is about to learn that "if you play with matches you may start a fire." Anti-semitism is rampant already and Arab anger will not be far behind, this in a country palgued by high unemployment, deteriorating economy, and almost daily labor strikes. Good luck frogs.

[P8riot]

Ah, I see now, Chirac is the french Clinton. I think what he said translates directly to "You better put some ice on that."

Or,

Je n'ai pas eu le sexe avec cet homme, Monsieur Hussein!

[Cachelot]

Why not apologize to Prime Minister Tony Blair??

Transaction Analysis: same-level transaction.

Queen --> Queen.

[Minty]

"France knows what it owes to the formidable devotion and courage of the British soldiers that came to help it free itself in the fight against barbarity," Chirac wrote to the Queen.

Seems like they say one thing and do another. Now they are defending the barbarity with teeth and claws.

[EaglesUpForever]

or "tout depend de la definition exacte du mot 'nuclear'..."

[beaversmom]

Bastards! My great uncle Edward "Ted" Salivdge is buried in France. http://www.cwgc.org/

http://www.vac-acc.gc.ca/general/sub.cfm?source=collections/virtualmem/Detail&casualty=1575430

In memory of Private EDWARD SALVIDGE who died on May 2, 1917.

I didn't know you Ted, but I'm very proud of you!

[sgiant]

Chirac ALSO told the Queen that the French Army attempted to stop the vandals in the act, but...after a brief shouting match the Army surrendered. haha

[Grand Old Partisan]

because the Queen is Head of State.

[NorCoGOP]

"France knows what it owes to the formidable devotion and courage of the British soldiers that came to help it free itself in the fight against barbarity," Chirac wrote to the Queen.

You know what you owe, yet you are unwilling to pay the price.

You couldn't defend yourselves, twice, and asked us to help.

We wanted (but didn't need) your help to help defend everyone, yet you refused our request.

Not only did you refuse, you deliberately scuttled the process.

Indian givers. Next time you get invaded, don't call us, we'll call you. Maybe. Just so we can get a laugh.

[beaversmom]

This is from the Canadian veteran's website regarding the Canadians buried in France:

http://www.vac-acc.gc.ca/general/sub.cfm?source=collections/poem99/herb_peppard

Freedom is not Free

by Herb Peppard
Nova Scotia

I stood on Vimy Ridge and saw
The names carved in that stone,
And in my troubled mind I heard
the shell fire and the moans.
The cries from these, our gallant men
Five thousand miles from home.
'Twas then my eyes were filled with tears
And truth came clear to me,
these men paid a terrible price
For Freedom is not Free!

I stood beside an unknown grave
Near Vimy's sacred sod,
And forced myself to read the words
Carved in that stone so flawed.
It read: "A CANADIAN SOLDIER,
KNOWN ONLY UNTO GOD!"
Then emotion filled my troubled soul
I could not speak nor see,
The truth was on that weathered stone,
Our Freedom was not Free!

[beaversmom]

Here's another nice one:

http://www.vac-acc.gc.ca/general/sub.cfm?source=collections/poem99/cchandler

Gone; But Not Forgotten

Christina Chandler
Carberry, MB

You are the wind
that brushes soft across my face.
You are the stars
that illuminate the shadow and force darkness from this place.
You are every one of a million things I see.
You are the people who won this life for me.

You are the cries
that echoed across this land.
You are the body
who was the strength behind the hand.
You are the courage and the bravery.
You are the men who fought to keep us free.

You are the reason
my laughter rises loud and clear.
You are the soliders
who gave their lives for one held dear.
You are the support, regardless of the fee.
You are the thoughts, the dreams, the memory.

And though gone,
you aren't forgotten.
Today we remember thee.

[bird humming]

I thought the queen was the figurehead....

[schaketo]

A long time ago, Britain and France were at war.

During one battle, the French captured an English Major. Taking the Major to their headquarters, the French General began to question him.

The French General asked, "Why do you English officers all wear red coats? Don't you know the red material makes you easier targets for us to shoot at?"

In his bland English way, the Major informed the general that the reason English officers wear red coats is so that if they are shot, the blood won't show and the men they are leading won't panic.

And that is why, from that day until now, all French Army Officers wear brown pants.

[schaketo]

French President Jacques Chirac
Monsieur Le President de la Republique
Palais de l'Elysee
55, rue du Faubourg Saint-Honore
75008 Paris
FRANCE

Friday, March 21, 2003

Dear President Chirac,

Just a quick note to ensure you understand millions of Americans will never forget you and your country’s cowardice.

We have somewhat considered you an ally and a friend. That perception has recently shifted for all times. And trust me, it is permanent.

I and millions of other Americans are now encouraging our elected officials, President Bush’s administration and business leaders to change their thinking about France. You will see in the future a new punitive approach towards our relationship with your country.

Don’t expect a public announcement regarding this shift. But it will happen.

With friends like France who needs enemies. We are quickly discovering who our real friends are. It is not you or your country. I imagine a few years down the road there will be hell to pay for your position in the history books and your political party’s future.

We’re tired of your slander and your weak knees. Thanks for all your help in the United Nations.

Yours truly,

[Grand Old Partisan]

Her role as figurehead includes being a nominal Head of State. BTW, the last time a British monarch issued a commmand was in 1944, when at the request of the Admiralty King George VI ordered Winston Churchil not to participate in the D-Day landings as an off-shore observer.

[iopscusa]

Bring all American soldiers home from France, Germany, etc. They should be on FREEDOM's soil.

[brydic1]

I hope when our troops file past the French Embassy in Baghdad, they give the French an appropriate salute

[PBRSTREETGANG]

Dear Queen of the Rosbeefs,

I deeply regret what has happened here. In order to temper the distress caused by these unfortunate actions, France would like to offer her formal and unconditional surrender.

Sincerely,

Jacques Chirac