Stinking Fwench Government Whores Sell Soul (again) and Tiawan to Chinese Commies

[DinoDoc]

Originally posted by Dracon II
A nation-state acting in its own self interest?

The arguement is that it isn't a sound policy. There's a whole thread that's been linked to earlier in this one that made that point and no one has made yet made a cogent arguement why it is a good policy for France to try and aid in the destablization of Asia when there is no clear benefit to them. This is especially clear in light of recent events and given the fact France is virtually alone in thier stance among EU members.

Oh and if ...

You want people to take you seriously it would be great if you'd deal with what people are argueing with rather than what you percieve about them. It's annoying and serves little purpose when you wish to keep of the pretense of not being a troll.

[DanS]

This French policy lacks coherence, unless it has written off the possibility of removing the arms ban any time soon due to EU reaction toward the secession law. It might be short-term business expediency. Maybe a long term chit at the UN Security Council. Maybe this is an indication that France will join China and South Korea in opposing Security Council membership for Japan (there are some strange bedfellows on Council reform and the US is having a grand time playing people off against one another).

France should be fuming at China for making France internal EU diplomacy look incredibly weak with the secession law being passed right after France raised the possibility of removing the arms ban. It made the US look like the reasonable Defender of the Free World with minimal effort. Is New Europe cool with French willingness to sell a democracy down the river like this?

[Colonâ„¢]

I agree that France is shooting itself in the foot big-time. The EU's greatest asset in international diplomacy is its moral authorithy (supposed or real) and lifting the embargo deal be a severe blow to it.

[DanS]

And what's the deal with the EU giving Yushenko a cold shoulder? He gets a standing ovation at a joint session of the congress and a red carpet press conference at the White House -- real hero treatment.

Can't buy a handshake from some of the EU.

[notyoueither]

He isn't willing to pay enough?

[DanS]

How much does it cost nowadays?

There's an old story where Adams was stunned to find the French foreign minister requiring a princely payment of $250,000 for a meeting.

He never got on too well with the French, although Franklin and Jefferson both found out quickly that the cheapest way to conduct diplomacy in France was through the boudoir.

[notyoueither]

I don't know. I'm just guessing based on everything comes down to value in Euros according to attitudes about foreign relations in much of the EU.

[DanS]

I edited you midpost.

[Lancer]

"I'm just guessing based on everything comes down to value in Euros according to attitudes about foreign relations in much of the EU."

Stinking Fwench Government >>>Whores<<< Sell Soul (again) and Tiawan to Chinese Commies


Got it covered

[GePap]

Originally posted by DanS
How much does it cost nowadays?

There's an old story where Adams was stunned to find on his posting from the rebel continental congress that the French foreign minister required a princely payment of $50,000 for a meeting.

He never got on too well with the French, although Franklin and Jefferson both found out quickly that the cheapest way to conduct diplomacy in France was through the boudoir.

Yup, obviously Adams was a piss poor diplomat - thank God someone like Franklyn was there, to save the rebels.

[DaShi]

And Luke and Han.

[DanS]

I edited you mid-post. Apologies. He was president at the time. XYZ affair.

[Admiral]

Originally posted by DanS
And what's the deal with the EU giving Yushenko a cold shoulder? He gets a standing ovation at a joint session of the congress and a red carpet press conference at the White House -- real hero treatment.

Can't buy a handshake from some of the EU.

I'm sure that this is a complete mischaracterization. He is welcomed in America because we like to think of ourselves as a champion of democracy and freedom, and Yushenko's rise to power certainly fits our model of a wave of revolutions.

Now, and I will preface this by stating that I am not really familiar with the particulars of the European situation, but they may be waiting to congratulate him until they see what he will do the the Ukraine. The old regime was corrupt and, in fact, probably did rig elections. Yushenko, however, could conceivably be a corporate tool, and he has not spent the time since the election unifying the country, but has been partaking in sectarian politics. I think that this is likely to be the European reason for not welcoming Yushenko because you'll remember that during the crisis, Europe joined the rest of the west in calling for new elections and making sure that the electoral system was legitimate.

[Admiral]

Originally posted by DanS
How much does it cost nowadays?

There's an old story where Adams was stunned to find the French foreign minister requiring a princely payment of $50,000 for a meeting.

He never got on too well with the French, although Franklin and Jefferson both found out quickly that the cheapest way to conduct diplomacy in France was through the boudoir.

And what's the deal with French bashing using occurences in 1798? That's like saying, "man, we need to invade Iraq because back in the 1800s, those damn Ottomans were menacing the Balkans like none other."

[notyoueither]

Or maybe it's based on France selling a democracy down the river for the profit of selling a few aircraft?