France Denounces U.S. Plans for Iraq - "SERIES World Consequences"

The Washington Post ^ | 17 March, 2003

[Happy2BMe]

PARIS, March 17 -- French Foreign Minister Dominique de Villepin denounced the United States today for planning to wage war against Iraq, saying such a conflict was in clear violation of international opinion and risked "serious consequences" for the Middle East and the world.

De Villepin issued the forcefully worded, written statement this evening, hours before President Bush was scheduled to deliver a U.S. television address on Iraq. The minister reaffirmed the French position that war was not justified now because U.N. inspections were effectively disarming Saddam Hussein's government.

[Happy2BMe]

Mon Mar 17, 6:57 PM ET

A billboard which faces the northbound lanes on Interstate 95 near Philadelphia carries a message to Iraqi President Saddam Hussein (news - web sites), March 17, 2003. With the collapse of diplomacy on Monday, President George W. Bush (news - web sites) has set a fateful course toward an unprecedented U.S.-led war against Iraq (news - web sites) that could affect world events for a generation or more. REUTERS/Tim Shaffer

[Calpernia]

risked "serious consequences"

CLICK HERE

[FryingPan101]

A WORLD SERIES this early in the year?

[RAT Patrol]

Well, when the French say "serious conscequences" we know to take them seriously. /sarcasm

[tophat9000]

In honor of the French

Frog in a blender

[Happy2BMe]

Outrageous! - TY! LOL...

[BamaFan69]

I FORGOT ABOUT THE OLE "FRONG IN THE BELENDER" ALL TO FITTING FOR THE FRIGGIN' FRENCH.

[Iowegian]

The statement in part reflected France's determination to defend itself against bitter U.S. and British criticism of the French threat to use its veto in the Security Council against any resolution that sought to authorize the use of force at this time. French commentators said Paris had been unjustly singled out.

"I think it is a little bit unfair to blame France. France played a part, but I think the [U.S.] administration did not display an enormous amount of competence in ensuring support for its views," said Guillaume Parmentier, director of the French Center on the United States at the French Institute for International Relations.

He said the White House had been too quick to reject a recent compromise offered by Chile and had alienated many countries in the past by its opposition to the Kyoto environmental treaty and the International Criminal Court.

Unfairly singled out! LOL

So they admit their motives were impure all along, not from "principle".

[midwestmidnight]

"SERIES World Consequences...WORLD SERIES Consequences"

[Arpege92]

OOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHH I am so scared! The french are denouncing a war in Iraq....what should we do? NOT!

[strela]

What in the Sam Hill is an alleged "man" doing running around with a name like "Dominique?" Bet "he" squats to use the "Eurinal."

[Revolting cat!]

World Series? In Baghdad? An interesting idear. In October, we'll be there!

[Paleo Conservative]

vey series.

[Consort]

Yes, but not really really serious consequences.

[wildbill]

That's what struck me--the use of the same language about the situation in Iraq--which France declined to do anything about.