Posted on 04/01/2004 7:49:19 AM PST by Pikamax
New French Foreign Minister Eyes Revived U.S. Ties Thu Apr 1, 2004 09:37 AM ET
By Kerstin Gehmlich PARIS (Reuters) - Michel Barnier's toughest task in his new role as French foreign minister is to patch up ties with Washington -- and his moderate manner is seen going down better than that of flamboyant predecessor Dominique de Villepin.
Barnier, 53, formerly a European Union commissioner, took on his new job in a French cabinet reshuffle on Wednesday after the conservative government's rout in regional polls.
One French newspaper dubbed him a "plodding European, with no style," but analysts said those very qualities might help him revive French-U.S. ties that became strained over France's stark opposition to the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq a year ago.
"Some people in Washington will certainly pop a bottle of champagne today," said Bruno Tertrais of the Foundation of Strategic Research in Paris.
"But it's less to celebrate Barnier's arrival than to celebrate the departure of Villepin," he added of the reshuffle, which sent Villepin to the interior ministry in a move some view as a platform for him to be a future prime minister.
Villepin personified France's staunch opposition to the war after a speech to the U.N. Security Council last February in which he vividly argued against the use of military force.
"Villepin's departure will facilitate things because the United States has partly associated the degradation of relations with him and his speech at the U.N.," political scientist Jean Francois Daguzan said.
"Barnier is able to express his ideas in a more moderate way. His style will contribute to improving relations. There are no direct conflicts between him and (Secretary of State Colin) Powell. That is an advantage."
CHIRAC STILL POLICY BOSS
But analysts say the main lines of French foreign policy are still determined by President Jacques Chirac, and a change of faces at the foreign ministry will not bring a policy shift.
"Foreign policy remains Chirac's domain. And I don't expect a major change of direction," Tertrais said.
"But the Chirac-Villepin tandem was often accused of being a bit autistic -- not consulting any other people. Barnier has a more consensual style. A Chirac-Barnier tandem might prevent us from some of the verbal escalations we've had in the past."
French-U.S. ties hit a low point last year when Villepin hit back at Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld for branding war opponents like France and Germany "the old Europe," and when U.S. pro-war activists re-named French fries "freedom fries."
Both sides have sought to patch up relations since then.
France has promised substantial debt relief for Iraq once power has been handed over to a sovereign government, and Washington has relented on an initial ban on French firms bidding for major reconstruction contracts there.
President Bush has also accepted an invitation to attend ceremonies in Normandy on June 6 marking the 60th anniversary of the D-Day landings. In an added sign of a thaw, Bush and Chirac will meet in Paris the day before.
Analysts say Barnier could also take a crucial role in his other main task in office -- reviving stalled negotiations over the new EU constitution. As EU commissioner in charge of regional policy and institutional reform, he played a key role in drawing up proposals for a charter.
"He is exactly the right man at the right place at the right time," said Francois Heisbourg, head of Paris' Foundation for Strategic Research. "He has the unanimous respect of the member states and that of officials within the EU institutions."
EU leaders have agreed to revive talks on the constitution and have given themselves a mid-June deadline for a deal.
Like hell, Frenchie.
You got nothing we need or want.
And I'll take California's worst Cab over your best Bordeaux - Yeeech.
Don't worry, this will not happen. They cannot even control the European Central Bank. As the EU expands it only weakens France. When Germany tires of footing the bill for France's vainglorious self-delusions the notion of an EU superstate will pass.
The French know this, that is why they are courting China - that is by far a greater danger as they will not have the other Euros around to restrain them.
This reshuffling should be seen as a positive development, not a big one, but a good one none the less. It means that the business classes in France and the national governments in the "outer EU" have told Chirac to pipe down. It may also mean that the have seen the handwriting on the wall as far as Kerry goes.
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