Tweet
France issues 'please explain' to US
May 16, 2003
FRENCH Foreign Minister Dominique de Villepin has confirmed Paris has asked Washington to clarify relations between the two countries, following what he called a campaign of "disinformation" against France in the US media.
"We cannot accept that unfounded criticism against France develops in this way," the minister said yesterday.
"That there are differences, that there are differing choices, that is one thing. That we are pulled into such a controversy is not acceptable," he told journalists after an EU meeting on the future of Europe.
De Villepin confirmed press reports that French ambassador to Washington Jean-David Levitte had sent a letter to top US presidential aides and politicians complaining of a nine-month "organised campaign of disinformation" via media stories sourced to anonymous US officials.
In the letter, the ambassador complained that US President George W Bush's administration had done little in public to quell anti-French sentiment created by false news stories.
The White House and the Pentagon swiftly rejected any allegation that there was an orchestrated effort to spread disinformation about France, which drew Washington's ire by opposing the war to oust the Iraqi dictator.
A spokesman for Bush, Scott McClellan, said: "There is, I don't think, any basis in fact to it," before making light of recent tensions.
De Villepin called for an end to US animosity.
"We want to work with our friends and American allies in a spirit of responsibility, of truth and of clarity.
Is there a problem? Let's deal with it. Do not let rumour come between us. This is not worthy of the relations between our two countries," de Villepin continued.
Relations between Washington and Paris soured when France became the leading opponent in the UN Security Council to the US-led war in Iraq.
But Paris has grown more worried about the official US response, especially after top Bush aides met recently to discuss what consequences France should suffer for seeking to block military action to oust deposed Iraqi president Saddam Hussein.
"We want to clarify things, to explain France's position, point out how these accusations, this disinformation are unfounded, de Villepin said.
"We have decided on a campaign of explanation and therefore our ambassador is today addressing a letter to various officials" and lawmakers on all the accusations and on France's true position, he added.
De Villepin said he had "great regard" for US Secretary of State Colin Powell "and I know that he is a courageous man".
"There are difficulties so we will talk, He will be in Paris in a few days time".
Powell will travel to Paris next week, becoming the highest-level US cabinet member to visit France since the Iraq war caused a major split between the countries, State Department officials said yesterday.
Powell is to arrive in the French capital next Thursday for a May 22-23 Group of Eight foreign ministers meeting that will precede the June 1-3 G8 leaders summit in Evian, the officials told AFP.
The Associated Press
FRENCH Foreign Minister Dominique de Villepin has confirmed Paris has asked Washington to clarify relations between the two countries, following what he called a campaign of "disinformation" against France in the US media.
"We cannot accept that unfounded criticism against France develops in this way," the minister said yesterday.
"That there are differences, that there are differing choices, that is one thing. That we are pulled into such a controversy is not acceptable," he told journalists after an EU meeting on the future of Europe.
De Villepin confirmed press reports that French ambassador to Washington Jean-David Levitte had sent a letter to top US presidential aides and politicians complaining of a nine-month "organised campaign of disinformation" via media stories sourced to anonymous US officials.
In the letter, the ambassador complained that US President George W Bush's administration had done little in public to quell anti-French sentiment created by false news stories.
The White House and the Pentagon swiftly rejected any allegation that there was an orchestrated effort to spread disinformation about France, which drew Washington's ire by opposing the war to oust the Iraqi dictator.
A spokesman for Bush, Scott McClellan, said: "There is, I don't think, any basis in fact to it," before making light of recent tensions.
De Villepin called for an end to US animosity.
"We want to work with our friends and American allies in a spirit of responsibility, of truth and of clarity.
Is there a problem? Let's deal with it. Do not let rumour come between us. This is not worthy of the relations between our two countries," de Villepin continued.
Relations between Washington and Paris soured when France became the leading opponent in the UN Security Council to the US-led war in Iraq.
But Paris has grown more worried about the official US response, especially after top Bush aides met recently to discuss what consequences France should suffer for seeking to block military action to oust deposed Iraqi president Saddam Hussein.
"We want to clarify things, to explain France's position, point out how these accusations, this disinformation are unfounded, de Villepin said.
"We have decided on a campaign of explanation and therefore our ambassador is today addressing a letter to various officials" and lawmakers on all the accusations and on France's true position, he added.
De Villepin said he had "great regard" for US Secretary of State Colin Powell "and I know that he is a courageous man".
"There are difficulties so we will talk, He will be in Paris in a few days time".
Powell will travel to Paris next week, becoming the highest-level US cabinet member to visit France since the Iraq war caused a major split between the countries, State Department officials said yesterday.
Powell is to arrive in the French capital next Thursday for a May 22-23 Group of Eight foreign ministers meeting that will precede the June 1-3 G8 leaders summit in Evian, the officials told AFP.
The Associated Press
Comment