Chirac Speaks...
As much as G.W. probably hates it, Jacques Chirac is THE Elder statesman of the day and, unlike himself, commands much respect internationally...
--ryan
Chirac questions US-Led Iraq War
French President Jacques Chirac says he is "not at all sure" the world has become safer with the removal from power of Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein.
In a BBC interview Mr Chirac suggests the situation in Iraq has helped to prompt an increase in terrorism.
The interview, to be aired on BBC Two's Newsnight programme on Wednesday, comes ahead of his visit to the UK this week.
President Chirac also maintains that any intervention in Iraq should have been through the United Nations.
"To a certain extent Saddam Hussein's departure was a positive thing, " Mr Chirac says when asked if the world is safer now, as US President George W Bush has repeatedly stated.
"But it also provoked reactions, such as the mobilisation in a number of countries, of men and women of Islam, which has made the world more dangerous," Mr Chirac says.
"There's no doubt that there has been an increase in terrorism and one of the origins of that has been the situation in Iraq.
"I'm not at all sure that one can say that the world is safer," Mr Chirac says.
Return Favours
He also signals that be believes Britain's support for the US-led war has brought few dividends.
In an earlier interview with British journalists, Mr Chirac said Prime Minister Tony Blair had received nothing in return for backing the Bush administration.
"I'm not sure it is in the nature of our American friends at the moment to return favours systematically," he said.
"I am not sure, with America as it is these days, that it would be easy for someone, even the British, to be an honest broker."
Mr Chirac said he had urged Mr Blair last year to press President Bush to restart the Middle East peace process in return for British support for the US-led war in Iraq.
Speaking in Washington on Monday, Mr Blair called for Europe and the US to bury their differences over Iraq.
"It is not a sensible or intelligent response for us in Europe to ridicule American arguments and parody their political leadership," he said.
The signs are that Mr Chirac and Mr Blair will again at best agree to disagree on the Iraq war when they meet on Thursday, says BBC World Affairs correspondent Mike Wooldridge.
You can see the interview with President Chirac on Newsnight on BBC Two at 2230 GMT on Wednesday 17 November, or watch it on the Newsnight website
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/1/hi/world/middle_east/4018325.stm
Published: 2004/11/17 11:16:12 GMT
© BBC MMIV
posted by ryan @ 08:28
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From news.BBC.co.uk:
Chirac: Blair Gets Little From US
French President Jacques Chirac has said Tony Blair has got little in return for supporting the US over Iraq.
Mr Chirac also told reporters it was difficult for the UK or anyone to be a go-between for Europe and the US.
He was speaking before he visits London on Thursday as part of celebrating the anniversary of the Entente Cordiale.
Tony Blair's spokesman said the remarks were unsurprising but the prime minister did not see relations with the US in terms of "pay back".
Honest broker
The prime minister has consistently urged Europe to recognise the importance of working together with Washington.
In his interview for British newspapers, Mr Chirac says the entente cordiale celebrations had shown friendship between the UK and France.
According to The Times newspaper, Mr Chirac describes the old cross-Channel relationship as "kind of violent love" based on mutual esteem but, at the same time, he adds, "we enjoyed hating each other".
Mr Chirac says he feels no anger towards America and says the transatlantic links are essential.
But he repeats his view of a "multi-polar" world, with a strong Europe as one of the poles and ridicules US Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld for talking about "Old Europe".
I have no sympathy for unilateralism for its own sake
He plays down the role which Britain or other countries can play as mediators with the US Administration.
"I am not sure, with America as it is these days, that it would be easy for someone, even the British, to be an honest broker," says Mr Chirac.
"Perhaps that will change but that is the current state of things."
Returning favours?
The president also recounts his talks with Mr Blair in the Le Touquet summit, which came just before the Iraq war.
"I said then to Tony Blair: 'We have different positions on Iraq.
"'Your position should at least have some use.
"'That is to try to obtain in exchange a relaunch of the peace process in the Middle East... You absolutely have to obtain something in exchange for your support.'
"Well, Britain gave its support but I did not see much in return. I am not sure that it is in the nature of our American friends at the moment to return favours systematically."
Falling out
Relations between the prime minister and Mr Chirac have at times been frosty and the pair disagreed over the need for military action in Iraq.
Speaking to British newspapers, Mr Chirac stressed he had "a lot of esteem and a lot of friendship" for Mr Blair.
He says there is no opposition between a British and French vision of Europe.
And he describes how when he comes to Downing Street, Mr Blair's youngest son Leo will come up and say "bonjour Chirac".
Mr Chirac says he has only fallen out once with the prime minister: in a spat about the common agricultural policy two years ago.
UK reports at the time suggested he had accused Mr Blair of being "badly brought up".
"I got angry with him," he says. "It was probably the fatigue after a long summit. We said unpleasant things about each other that we didn't mean."
Alliance on democracy?
In a major foreign affairs speech at London's Guildhall on Monday, Mr Blair again appealed for people in Europe not to parody America's leadership.
But it was still entirely sensible for Europe to say terrorism would not be "beaten by toughness alone".
"I am not - repeat not - advocating a series of military solutions to achieve it, but I am saying that patiently but plainly Europe and America should be working together to bring the democratic, human and political rights we take for granted to those part of the world denied them."
Mr Blair called for greater United Nations leadership in ensuring states protected rather than injured their own citizens.
"None of this, however, will work unless America too reaches out. Multilateralism that works should be its aim. I have no sympathy for unilateralism for its own sake."
US Secretary of State Colin Powell has resigned and is tipped to be replaced by National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice.
Downing Street did not want to comment on those reports but said Ms Rice had a close relationship with British ministers and was held in high regard by Mr Blair.
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/1/hi/uk_politics/4015447.stm
Published: 2004/11/16 12:25:22 GMT
© BBC MMIV
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