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.

[nmh]

They probably think it's a vast right wing Bush conspiracy designed to keep tourism down in France.

[desertcry]

Thanks for the reminder.

[desertcry]

W is a cool guy, but deadly. Ask saddam he will tell yah. But the french are too arrogant to seek advice.

[desertcry]

I won't be flying air france for a very long time. Those F15s are very scary.

[the invisib1e hand]

all the lefties/anti-Americanites are apparently drinking deep of the same potion and seeing the same hallucinations.

[desertcry]

You forgot the french cheese.

[JSteff]

"(God, could these Frogs be more self-absorbed?)"

Sort of like little children.

[alrea]

Let me make a bet. The 7, were not travelling with family.

with bias, i imagine that their names would be interesting.

[JSteff]

If the EXPLOSIVE shoe fits...

[JSteff]

"We had a variety of Australian wines for Christmas Eve."

They are good aren't they? We have been drinking Australian wines at "occasions" since March... they are Very good, and the price is a nice bonus also.

[Cindy]

WORTH REPEATING...


"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."

"22 posted on 12/26/2003 5:06:07 PM PST by Professional"

[Ethyl]

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

Since the french DID bow to the US, they WILL have to deal with thier muslim friends as to why they cancelled the flights. HAHAHA, I would love to be a fly on the wall in that discussion. Beware, America, it will happen again, with friends like the fwenchies.

[Capt. Tom]

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

Good for you.

Where France went over he line was after they said no, they went around the world trying to stop other countries from joining our coalition. - Tom

[cmsgop]

I am so NEVER EVER GOING TO FRANCE, EVER!

[Ethyl]

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

The fwenchies are just paranoid, let them pound sand.

[Just Lori]

Touche'! (OMG, that's French, isn't it?)

[mercy]

OK. I had already decided to boycot these clowns for life but now I'm puttin it in my will. If any of my inheritors EVER knowingly buy a frog product the others will immediately gain the offender's share.

[Cultural Jihad]

Coward Dean ought to run for President of France.

[mercy]

I thought of the incredible hassle the folks on those cancelled flights were going through. I'm sure it ruined their entire Holliday. I know how terrible taxing international travel can be.

Made me happy as hell! They were either frogs and screw them ... or they were traitor Americans violating the boycot or at the least they were dumb enough to fly Air France. Whatever. They deserved it.

[Hillary's Lovely Legs]

A French judge was placed under official investigation for "sexual exposure" in a courtroom, prosecutors said on Friday, after a newspaper reported the judge masturbated while a lawyer pleaded her case.

That is just rude.