French accuse US of plot over cancelled Christmas flights

The Times (UK) ^ | 12/27/03 | Adam Sage

[saquin]

FRENCH fears of being ostracised by America for opposing the war in Iraq were highlighted yesterday as commentators reacted angrily to the terrorist alert that led to the cancellation of six transatlantic flights over Christmas.

Many French newspapers interpreted the alert as the latest episode in what Le Monde described as the “masked war” between France and the US.

They said after being kept in the dark over the agreement for Libya to surrender its weapons of mass destruction, France had been implicitly designated as the weak link in the fight against terrorism.

A total of six flights between Paris and Los Angeles were cancelled by Jean-Pierre Raffarin, the Prime Minister, on the recommendation of the American authorities, who said they had intelligence information of a hijack plan.

But after checking the passenger lists, French police said they had found no evidence of a threat. The main suspect signalled by the American embassy was a Tunisian man who was at home in Tunisia and had no intention of flying to Los Angeles, they said.

Seven other passengers were questioned on the advice of the US authorities but were released without charge.

French officials said they did not want to cancel the flights but had bowed to the Bush Administration. “They really put us under pressure,” said one official.

The affair highlighted the chasm separating Paris from Washington following the war in Iraq. France’s regional press, which tends to accurately reflect public opinion, seized upon the incident as proof of a plot against France.

Jacques Camus, writing in La République du Centre, said: “The question is whether the French Government did not fall victim to spin and a rather cynical manipulation. This was the best way for America to get France to share its anguish over terrorism.”

When Britain and the US announced they had signed an agreement for Libya to give up its weapons of mass destruction, the French media was shocked to discover its government had been kept in the dark.

The daily, Libération, said the Libyan deal illustrated that France had entered a zone of “glorious solitude”, while the Bush Administration mulled over its revenge.

French anguish increased when Washington backed Japan in its battle with France to host an international experimental thermo-nuclear reactor. Last week’s negotiations over the reactor ended in deadlock and fresh talks will be held in February.

[cyncooper]

I agree. Like what's with this from the article:

When Britain and the US announced they had signed an agreement for Libya to give up its weapons of mass destruction, the French media was shocked to discover its government had been kept in the dark.

The only reason I can think of why this would cause them so much angst is they had no chance to throw a monkey wrench into the works.

[Professional]

I've been reminding every one that Reid was detained, and then put on a plane the very next day complete with an apology from the french and a shoe full of explosives.

Unbelievable, and worth repeating.

[NordP]

To answer your question....no. They continue to amaze me, every day. I don't know how our President keeps his cool.

[Gritty]

They said... France had been implicitly designated as the weak link in the fight against terrorism.

You have to hand it to the French. They may not catch on fast, but they eventually do catch on!

[LadyDoc]

oh we hurt their little feelings.

Next time we'll let them blow up los vegas instead.

BTW Wasnt' the shoe bomber "questioned" in paris, and then went on the next day's flight? As a result, he didn't have anyone to help him light his sneaker, and couldn't manage to do it by himself...makes you wonder what the original plan was there...however, it also makes you wonder why they assume "questioning" the suspicious passengers would let them figure out who is a terrorist..after all, they missed the shoe bomber too...

[Polybius]

French officials said they did not want to cancel the flights but had bowed to the Bush Administration. “They really put us under pressure,” said one official.

Sheeesh! As if the French had a $#@&*^# choice.

The U.S. Government, not French bureaucrats, decides which aircraft will be allowed to enter U.S. airspace.

It's as simple as that. We say, "No". They don't do it. End of discussion.

If the French had not "bowed", they would have had to deal with these guys.

F-15 Eagles from the Massachusetts Air National Guard’s 102nd Fighter Wing flying a combat air patrol mission over the Atlantic Ocean in support of Operation Noble Eagle.

[Quix]

I think you have that right.

[NetValue]

The french love to gripe and posture themselves as so imposed upon by the rest of the world. The Germans as next door neighbors know what the french are, snivelers, gripers, back-stabbers, an untrustworthy lot all of them. Let the Germans fix their wagon again. They are buddies now in a marriage made in hell, but it will not last.

[LibFreeUSA]

[Pedrobud]

The French are sick of being made to look irrelevant. The trouble is they are totally irrelevant. Boycott the bastards' goods

[TheSpottedOwl]

The affair highlighted the chasm separating Paris from Washington following the war in Iraq. France’s regional press, which tends to accurately reflect public opinion, seized upon the incident as proof of a plot against France.

Jacques Camus, writing in La République du Centre, said: “The question is whether the French Government did not fall victim to spin and a rather cynical manipulation. This was the best way for America to get France to share its anguish over terrorism.”

They're nuts! Absolutely, completely, irredeemably insane!!!!!!!

Hey France, we all know that your government couldn't possibly understand someone else's anguish; therefore you narcissistic, gutless wonders can go pound sand!!!!

Fork the French!

[NewLand]

[Capt. Tom]

Just because the French are paranoid doesn't mean the Bushies aren't out to get them. - tom

[Miss Marple]

Well, whether the Bushies are out to get them or not, I am!!

We had a variety of Australian wines for Christmas Eve.

Too bad for the French wine industry. Maybe they can sell some in the Middle East. Oh, wait. Muslims don't drink wine!

Pity.

[sarasmom]

You too?
The few civilian French people I knew at the time, in my age group, told me their entire country was worthless.
Prior to meeting them, I just thought their countries NATO "observors" were useless wastes of air.
If the French think their "punishment" will be in the form of diplomatic embarrassments, they are sadly misstaken.
It is impossible to make them look more foolish than they are in reality.
Were that even possible, that would not be punishment.That would be playing head games.
I expect something a bit more substantial.
With every loss of coalition soliders and Iraqi civilians lives in Iraq, the debt grows larger and the punishment heavier.
Toss a coin-Syria,Iran, Saudi Arabia or France.I dont much care who comes next, or in what order.
China will stop North Korea.They have no other choice.
Does France expect the Germans or Russians to save them from their fate?
Perhaps they are counting on Canada, Mexico or Cuba to intervene on their behalf!

[desertcry]

The french are very quick to accuse the USA of a plot against them, but refuses to see the french knife on Uncle Sam's back.

[ALOHA RONNIE]

NEVER FORGET


T'was our Twin Towers that went down in clouds of Gray Matter on September 11, 2001...

...not France's Eiffel Tower.


'Remember the Lost and Suffering on September 11, 2001'

http://www.TheAlamoFILM.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=33
(Photos & Thread)


NEVER FORGET

[DeepDish]

I'll add to that bet. Four or more of these watch list wonders purchased one way tickets.

[VOA]

Any poster/lurker...
please post the list of French products/companies so I won't accidentally subsidize these weasels.
...or at least the URL/link to that list.

Thanks in advance!