THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Old Europe rebuffed

The Daily Telegraph ^ | January 31, 2003 | The Daily Telegraph

[MadIvan]

France and Germany used the 40th anniversary of the Elysee Treaty last week to renew their claim to be the motor of Europe and to criticise American impatience with Saddam Hussein. Yesterday they were reminded that they do not speak for the continent as a whole, particularly as regards Iraq's weapons of mass destruction.

In a letter to the Wall Street Journal the president of the Czech Republic and the prime ministers of Britain, Denmark, Hungary, Italy, Poland, Portugal and Spain described these weapons as "a clear threat to world security" and warned against damaging the transatlantic relationship over the question of their elimination.

The signatories are from the Left and Right of the political spectrum, from northern, southern and eastern Europe, and from present and future members of the EU. Publication of their letter comes in the week when Hans Blix, chief United Nations weapon inspector, told the Security Council that Iraq "appears not to have come to a genuine acceptance, not even today, of the disarmament that was demanded of it". It also follows an apparent softening of Russia's attitude towards military intervention. Tony Blair, America's closest European ally, could not have asked for a happier prelude to his meeting today with George W Bush at Camp David.

Where does this leave France and Germany, the core of what Donald Rumsfeld, the American Secretary of Defence, notoriously called "old Europe" last week? Neither country was consulted on publication of a letter that confirms that Washington has broad support on this side of the Atlantic for military action. Both are miffed, but also aware that this week's events have imparted significant momentum to Mr Bush's case.

Gerhard Schröder has ruled out voting for war, but has sent equipment to Kuwait and agreed to stand in for American troops deployed to the Gulf from Germany, the Balkans and Afghanistan. Jacques Chirac, ever ready to counter Washington's dominance but chary of being left out of any fighting, is keeping his options open. When it comes to the crunch next month, he is likely to go along with Mr Bush and his European allies.

The fact that Mr Rumsfeld's jibe stung indicates that it contains an element of truth. French and German plans for further political integration have received short shrift in the convention on Europe's future chaired by Valéry Giscard d'Estaing. Both countries are violating the economic stability pact that is supposed to underpin the euro. In short, the two former enemies, who sealed their reconciliation through the Elysée Treaty, are no longer the driving force in Europe. Divisions over Iraq have merely confirmed that fact.

[MadIvan]

The French and Germans have destroyed themselves. Once it becomes clear how brutal the Iraqi regime is, and what they have done to their people and what weapons they possess - they will look foolish beyond measure.

Regards, Ivan

[MadIvan]

Bump!

[cynicom]

France and Germany are no longer relevant in world affairs, at their own choice. One would hope that they do not combine for future mischief in Europe, militarily.

[MadIvan]

France and Germany are no longer relevant in world affairs, at their own choice. One would hope that they do not combine for future mischief in Europe, militarily.

They're scrambling to be able to pay for their pension systems, Cousin - I sincerely doubt they'll be able to do much. Even so, I have no doubt that even in our present state, we could defeat them.

Regards, Ivan

[Parley Baer]

Let's see now. Old Europe and the peace-niks are represented by Neville Chamberlain. New Europe and George Bush are represented by Winston Churchill. So if George Bush is a Cowboy(like me) then his detractors are Neville Chamberlain's. Parley

[marron]

If the US and Britain (Italy, Poland, Spain) are unilateralists, its only because France and Germany have abdicated their responsibilities, and have abandoned the field.

If we (and the others) are preparing to do this alone, it is because they will not. The blame, if there is blame, for our supposed unilateral action lies with them. Our actions are unilateral because we act, and they do not.

[BfloGuy]

The French and Germans have destroyed themselves.

And the UK's likelihood of joining the Euro as well, I hope (although I still think Blair's gunning for the Presidency).

Nonetheless, good news indeed.

[TontoKowalski]

In case no one has told you lately:

Thank you for posting these articles from Britain. Many of us would not be aware of them otherwise. I always look forward to your articles and posts. They are informative and educational and they spark entertaining debate.

And one more thing: As a British citizen, please know that millions of Americans are grateful for your nation's unwavering support. To be honest, I never thought highly of Prime Minister Blair, but even his harshest critic will admit that he has exhibited steadfast leadership in the War on Terror.

[Bahbah]

There are many here who echo TK's sentiments. I'm glad he said it.

[Ichabod Walrus]

Blair is regarded as a "colossus"?

Is this some sort of Monty Python joke?

Perhaps the cartoonist is suffering from "mad cow disease"??

[MadIvan]

Everything is relative. Blair sent a quarter of our armed forces to the Gulf to fight. Compared to what the French and Germans are doing, that's pretty bloody big. (Note Chirac and Schroeder as dwarfs in the cartoon)

You done spouting your anti-British bile for the day? You feel better now?

Ivan

[Russ]

I've heard very little about the Conservative Party's
position regarding Iraq. Are they giving Blair the support
he needs to counteract the peace-at-any-price faction within Labour?

[TonyInOhio]

Blair sent a quarter of our armed forces to the Gulf to fight

God Bless and protect our brave comrades-in-arms!

I'm an IDS fan, but I swear, I could almost vote for Tony. The blood of Churchill runs in his veins.

Regards,

Tony

[MadIvan]

I've heard very little about the Conservative Party's position regarding Iraq. Are they giving Blair the support he needs to counteract the peace-at-any-price faction within Labour?

If anything, Iain Duncan Smith is harder than Blair on Iraq.

The Tories did well today - they asked during parliamentary questions why we are even talking to France since all we ever get out of them is a kick in the teeth.

Regards, Ivan

[Siobhan]

France is wasted on the French.

[moyden]

In the end, France and Germany will be weaker, and Blair much stronger. He may be liberal, but you have to admit he has played this one right the whole way. He manages to look tough and multilateral all at once.

[Mr. Mojo]

The French and Germans have destroyed themselves. Once it becomes clear how brutal the Iraqi regime is, and what they have done to their people.....

It should be clear to them right now. The atrocities committed by Saddam are extremely well documented.

...and what weapons they possess...

They possess weapons with German and French fingerprints all over them, in clear violation of the resolutions signed after the Gulf War. That, combined with the disconcerting (to them) fact that American power and prestige will grow ever stronger after a successful military campaign to liberate the Iraqi populace, and the fact that billions of dollars of Kraut/Frog oil deals with Iraq could conceivably go down the tubes, and the reasons for their intransigence become clear.

[DB]

I agree. This is only the beginning of French and German pain regarding Iraq.

[WOSG]

"And one more thing: As a British citizen, please know that millions of Americans are grateful for your nation's unwavering support. To be honest, I never thought highly of Prime Minister Blair, but even his harshest critic will admit that he has exhibited steadfast leadership in the War on Terror."

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Dittos ... This American Tory appreciates Blair very much!

I saw him on CSPAN last week answering Qs from a committee and he was remarkable. once i saw that, i knew we were solid for this effort.

The French and Germans are about a reliable as a "Yugo".

[wasp69]

Hey, Ivan, thanks for the update from across the pond. It's good to hear the good citizens of the UK are not following the example of the axis of weasels.