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Chirac: U.N. should decide on wars
French President Jacques Chirac continued a fence-mending but at times edgy state visit to Britain Friday reaffirming that the U.N. should decide on foreign interventions. "It's not for any given country to consider that a situation is open to stepping in and interfering," he told a question-and-answer session with students at Oxford University, according to the UK's Press Association. "It's up to the international community to do so and particularly the U.N., which alone has the authority to interfere," he said in remarks apparently aimed at the United States. The French president -- who backed a U.N. solution over Iraq -- added that if countries took such action of their own accord, it would "throw the door wide open to hosts of reason to wage wars under the guise of legitimate interference."

On Thursday, Chirac and British Prime Minister Tony Blair tried to put differences over the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq behind them, telling a joint news conference they both wanted a peaceful and stable future for the country. CNN's European Editor Robin Oakley called it "glassy smiles and gloss over time." Oakley said that Chirac and Blair were careful not to inflame their differences over Iraq -- and both made plain their eagerness to do anything they can to revive the Middle East peace process. But later the French leader took on a harsher tone, warning Blair that his drive to spread democracy across the world alongside U.S. President George Bush could be confused with a new colonialism.
Only by the French and other foes of democracy
In a speech to the International Institute of Strategic Studies, PA reported, Chirac went on to set out his own distinctive view of international relations. Chirac stressed the importance of dialogue between Europe and "the world's major poles" -- China, India, Brazil, Russia and various trading blocs. "For although our memory is sometimes short, the peoples submitted to the West's domination in the past have not forgotten and are quick to see a resurgence of imperialism and colonialism in our actions."
You mean like the Ivory Coast, Jacques?
On Friday in Oxford, Chirac again pointed to stressed the strength of links between Britain and France. He admitted, PA reported, that there had been "one or two differences" on Iraq, but said the countries have "never worked in closer co-operation" than in the fight against terrorism. Chirac also focused on Europe's relationship with America. Speaking of the enduring nature of the transatlantic alliance, he said that the link is "strong and cannot be challenged by anybody." "North America and Europe... I think are predestined to work together because they share history, the same background and values."
Posted by: Steve 2004-11-19
http://www.rantburg.com/poparticle.php?ID=49254