Axis of Weasel!

[Chris 62]

The NY Post carried that as today's headline, with a picture of Chirac and Schroeder "confiring".

It now seems that France is using an anti-war stance to gain popularity in some sections of the EU, in an effort to escape from repaying billions of Euros, and that Schroeder is using events to cover a failing economy, by using that old standby, when things get rough, blame the Americans.

The point is, since it's becoming clear that neither nation cares at all about disarming Saddam Hussein, why is anybody listening to them?

A number of EU states, such as Great Britain, Italy, Spain, and new nato states like Poland, Romania, the Chezh republic, ali of the Baltic States, ect, are now fully willing to put a stop to Saddam and enforce resolutions already in place.

Rumsfeld heavily critised the two nations, as "old Europe", the French were extremly angry at this, one minister refused to coment as she could not control the content of her reproof of the US minister.
I have heard some coments of "good for her" from some Europeans, as well as undisguised laughter from Americans at the French.

The question now is, can these powers remain allied in a world where their interests are clearly at odds, and are drifting further apart?

Is the Paris-Berlin axis now taking over the EU, with the UN soon to follow?
Your thoughts, if you please.

[Boris Godunov]

Relying on the NY Post for valid opinions is like relying on Ross Perot for mental health advice.

[Chris 62]

Not asnwering the thread besides a useless one liner is like kissing your sister, it's a girl, but who cares?

[Boris Godunov]

Originally posted by Chris 62
Not asnwering the thread besides a useless one liner is like kissing your sister, it's a girl, but who cares?

Who cares about kissing any girls?

The Post is just pissed because so many countries are standing up to the U.S. and not going along with the stupid ass war. Heaven forbid countries practice independence from U.S. foreign policy.

[Chris 62]

That's all very interesting Boris, but it wasn't my question.

Want to have another go?

[Boris Godunov]

Nah, I got bored with the post halfway through, anyway.

[SlowwHand]

No, they're pointing out that once you leave U.S. or Britain's borders, all motivation is suspect.

[Chris 62]

It's not meant as a bash of them (but it is a really funny line), but the question remains, can the United States, France and Germany continue as allies when it's clear they have widely different world view and objectives?

Should they even try?

[Pekka]

First, I want to thank Chris62 for not making this anti-europe thingie, as it easily would be done if not avoiding certain words

I don't know, I think Schroeder does this to get votes most of all, so I don't know where Germany REALLY stands with this issue. I don't know anything about Frances position on this, except that if they have some issues, it's easy to team up with Schroeder now.. Maybe they are against the war even without any internal issues, but I doubt it. I think they're being dishonest.

I believe it's important to keep relations to Germany and France warm, and try to keep communication in friendly tone. Of course this is only just a little fighting words, nothing more and will not result to anything serious. When the dialogue stops, then it's serious and we should all be worried.
I kind of understand the problems, because you all are allied to each other in military alliance... hmm.. makes you think.

Europe is really changing now, former power twins, France and Germany are retreating and thinking what to do, and even we, the people of peace are thinking of joining NATO and sending troops to fight them wars. I say let's jump over the dead horse and get on with it!

[Pekka]

And, if this thing keeps escalating, I hope Rumsfeld, Bush etc really underlines the countries out and not say Europe, because even without them, we can still rock and rumble!

[SlowwHand]

Going back to WW II, and you may recognize this from Band of Brothers, U.S. military felt the most like Germans.
They idntified with how Germans tidied up and went back about their business. Germans, not Nazis.
They really like Brits, despite their dry sense of humor.
Thought the French dirty and of poor attitude. Some things apparently never change.
They liked the people of the frozen wastelands of the North the best though.

[Ozz]

Re: Axis of Weasel!

Originally posted by Chris 62
The point is, since it's becoming clear that neither nation cares at all about disarming Saddam Hussein, why is anybody listening to them?

France's UN veto. They only care about $$$.

BTW. It doesn't matter whether Saddam's armed, or were this is just to get the oil which are the common
arguments. He's a dictator who pulled the trigger that
started two wars of aggression. That alone is reason to kick him out of power.

[Main_Brain]

blame the Americans.
-Nope.

neither nation cares at all about disarming Saddam Hussein
-Both (+Russia) say that the UN Inspectors should be given more Time. More importantly the Support to War in the Arabic States is low.

Rumsfeld heavily [...]undisguised laughter from Americans at the French
-Uh great Diplomacy Mr Rumsfeld


Regarding the "confering" you realize it was 40 Years French-German Friendship?

Bah! Not worth discussing

[Chris 62]

Saddam had 12 years to comply MB, how much longer does he need?

They have been "friends" for 40 years, now they sing the same tune, but again, that doesn't answer my question, should these powers remain allied?

[Pekka]

In my opinion, they should.