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| Down Under |
| Another Reason To Love Australia |
| 2003-07-02 |
| EFL Australia has rebuffed French interest in joining the military and police intervention in the Solomon Islands, as fears rise a warlord could use human shields against the Australian-led force. France, which has two South Pacific territories, said that it would look favourably on an invitation to help restore order in the troubled islands. "And please kiss our ring". But Prime Minister John Howard, citing his concern to avoid charges of neo-colonialism, said the Solomons was a matter for the Pacific Forum, the 16-nation group that does not include France or its territories. "Kiss my ass!" In Paris, Serge Degallaix, foreign affairs adviser to French Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin, told AAP that France would look favourably on any invitation for its Pacific-based force to join the 2,000-strong military and police contingent. France has forces in New Caledonia and French Polynesia, including about 2,000 troops, naval marines and paramilitary gendarmes. Mr Degallaix said French involvement in the Solomons could help restore relations with Australia, which have been strained over Iraq and farm subsidies. A senior French Foreign Ministry official said there had been consultations over the Solomons, but no invitation to help. "We are not ruling out anything," the official said. "Please invite us, we are a world power too, honest!" But when asked about European Union and French help to solve the problems of the Pacific, Mr Howard was clearly unenthusiastic. "Go pound cheese!" |
| Posted by:Steve |