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Jean Chretien is out, Paul Martin is in
Canada has a new Prime Minister. OK thatâs the news. But I thought youâd get a kick out of this:French President Jacques Chirac praised retiring Prime Minister Jean Chrétien as a "prestigious statesman" at a full state dinner in his honour Tuesday. In an opening toast at the Paris dinner, Chirac said Chrétien, who is on the final leg of his last Yeah. Anyway... The comments followed earlier speeches by both leaders at the opening of an museum exhibit on the history of relations between Canada and France. Starting with the battle of the Plains of Abraham perhaps? In that speech Chirac repeatedly referred to Chrétien as " "Mon cher Jean" "Oui, mon cher Jacques?" "Je tâaime!" "Moi aussi, Jacques!" Chirac spoke of how Canada and France agree on the role of the United Nations. Both countries refused to participate in the U.S. led war on Iraq because it was not sanctioned by the UN. Uh no. Thatâs not why. But thatâs another story, and another post. Chrétien said in an era of globalization, a nationâs influence is no longer determined by the number of cannons or missiles in its possession. Maybe not, but it helps. "They are measured by the civility and tolerance the nation demonstrates toward its international partners and its openness to dialogue with them."
He said he wasnât directing his comments at any country in particular. Good Lord, does he think people are this stupid? Chrétien said he and Chirac discussed Iraq during a 45-minute meeting, but talked more about Afghanistan, where both countries have troops. "It is getting more complicated and we know that in seven or eight months we have to go and NATO has an obligation and so we discussed who is willing to come," he said. Chrétien said Canada was not having trouble finding another NATO country to send troops to replace its soldiers in Afghanistan. Posted by: Rafael 2003-12-12 |
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