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2003-06-03 International

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Posted by Bulldog 2003-06-03 10:07 am|| || Front Page|| [4 views since 2007-05-07] Top

#1 Meanwhile, out of the other sidde of his mouth:

CHIRAC TRIES TO ELBOW IN ON MIDEAST

June 3, 2003 -- EVIAN, France - The European Union is considering drawing up a new Middle East "road map" for peace between Israel and its hostile neighbors Syria and Lebanon, French President Jacques Chirac said yesterday.

Chirac told journalists that EU foreign-policy chief Javier Solana thought such a move could complement the road map for Israel and the Palestinians set out by the "quartet" of the United States, United Nations, European Union and Russia.

"I believe that Mr. Solana, for Europe, has thought about working out a road map for Syria and Lebanon," Chirac said at the Group of Eight summit in Evian.

"The quartet's road map hardly mentions this problem," he said. "If there is a war between Israel and the Palestinians, there is also a war between Israel and Syria and Lebanon."

Chirac stressed at a news conference that Solana was still considering the idea, which was not a French initiative but one to be proposed by the European Union.

Posted by growler 2003-06-03 10:31:49|| 2003-06-03 10:31:49|| Front Page Top

#2 Update: Chirac's in a flutter over the forceful language re. NKor & Iran (from Ananova)

"G8 countries disagree over possible military action

The Group of Eight industrial nations has put North Korea and Iran on notice that they will not stand by and let them acquire nuclear weapons. However, there were differences over whether the G8 Summit declaration endorsed the possible use of force.

The US alleges Iran is developing a clandestine nuclear weapons program, and has called on Russia to halt cooperation on the construction of the Bushehr nuclear power plant. US officials believe technology from that project could help Iran develop nuclear weapons. Iranian state radio has blamed the US for the G8 summit's warning. Iran denies it is developing nuclear weapons.

A senior US official said the United States reads the G8 leaders' declaration as implicitly authorising the use of force against countries that violate international nonproliferation norms. But the G8 leaders insist the summit declaration does not endorse the use of military force, should Iran fail to meet its commitments on the transparency of its nuclear program.

French President Jacques Chirac said: "This interpretation seems to be extraordinarily daring. There never was any talk of using force against anyone. "We wish to have with Iran the necessary dialogue so they accept the international constraints of the IAEA which allows the containing the dangerous development of military nuclear technology."

Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien answered no when asked whether the declaration would allow military action should Iran be shown to be pursuing nuclear weapons.

German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder said that all participants at the summit had ruled out the use of force. And Italy's premier, Silvio Berlusconi, said President Bush told him speculation about a US attack against Iran because of its suspected nuclear programs doesn't have any foundation."

Sounds like "..if necessary, other measures" to some sounds like "..if necessary, other ineffectual measures." What does "other measures" imply, in this context, if not ultimately, the use of force?!

Posted by Bulldog 2003-06-03 10:57:30|| 2003-06-03 10:57:30|| Front Page Top

#3 Probably a memo. If that doesn't work, a letter, by Gawd! And if all else fails, they'll hold a meeting.

Posted by Fred 2003-06-03 12:08:28|| 2003-06-03 12:08:28|| Front Page Top

#4 How much longer is this dweeb (Chiraq) going to remain in office? Can he be re-elected? Anyone know?

Posted by RW 2003-06-03 17:03:24|| 2003-06-03 17:03:24|| Front Page Top

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