Article

2003-01-23 Europe

Commentary: do the French (and Germans) have something to hide?

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Posted by Mike 2003-01-23 03:29 pm|| || Front Page|| [3 views since 2007-05-07] Top

#1 The last scenario where France & Germany have actively supported Iraq, breaking sanctions, will be seen to be correct. There is no reason for so much opposition from them unless they have a lot to lose, something in the magnitude of a couple of billion. Most of this will be benign stuff, but some will be most embarrasing, when it turns out they helped Iraq in its weaponry programs, indirectly or not.

However I predict that the US & Britain will not reveal any of this after the war. Any information will have to come out independently thru Congress or other sources. The political fallout would be just too great to come out publicly with this, but certainly it will be used as a diplomatic wedge for eons to come.

As for the American public, I don't think most people care about sanctions in Iraq, and so this will not be a big deal except in political circles (and those that pay attention, like Rantburg of course).

Posted by Rw 2003-01-23 17:15:22|| 2003-01-23 17:15:22|| Front Page Top

#2 The comments page for the French embassy to the US is at:

http://www.info-france-usa.org/contactus.asp

Need I say more?

Posted by Nero 2003-01-23 23:15:25|| 2003-01-23 23:15:25|| Front Page Top

#3 UPDATE: The Wall Street Journal adopts the Max Boot theory in today's editorial:

"By aligning himself with and thus shoring up the politically weak anti-American German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder, Mr. Chirac has a chance to make himself Europe's dominant player. He can also show up Britain's Tony Blair, who's already America's best friend, and at the same time recall for his countrymen the Gaullist days of the force de frappe and independence from NATO.

"But the French and Germans should be careful how much independence they wish for. As we note optimistically in the editorial in today's Wall Street Journal, the U.S. and Europe share common values. But we are now in a post-Cold War, post-9/11 world in which Americans have learned that they are uniquely threatened by terrorists and the states that sponsor them.

"A country that uses its veto to stand in the way of American self-defense will not find many Americans wanting to guarantee its defense in the future. We will turn for help, and help in turn, those countries in Europe and elsewhere that are on America's side."

Posted by Mike 2003-01-24 04:58:38|| 2003-01-24 04:58:38|| Front Page Top

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