The Economist irritatingly pro-American

Maciamo

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Have a look at this article about France's foreign policy : Why France continues to annoy the United States


A second reason is that Mr Chirac, in common with virtually all French politicians, is uneasy with the concept of an American ?ghyperpower?h (the word was coined by the Socialists' foreign minister, Hubert Vedrine) that has no need or (in French eyes) no willingness to listen to the advice of lesser powers.

That's exactly why so many people hate Americans. They are so arrogant and contemptful towards every other nations. France is the world's 4th most powerful country but to Americans it's just a lesser power. Of course, there is no country economically or militarily more powerful than the US, so does that mean that America should not have to listen to anybody's opinion ? It's the jungle law, the stronger always wins; a tyranny lead by despotic America, who, far from being altruistic, only cares about their own narrow-minded concerns. They know France can veto their decision to attack Iraq and that power on them make them jealous and angry because they can't impose their tyranny freely anymore (wasn't the UN security council justly made to avoid abuse by superpowers ?). What is sure is that war in Iraq divides people both in Europe and America. It's only natural that their should be two "camps", but unfortunately the US only have one president. It's more a matter of personal opinion than of nationality. Blair supports Bush, but half the Brits and Americans disapprove their leader. Italy and Spain have decided to go with Britaina and the US though the vast majority of their population are opposed, as have shown anti-war demonstrations. I personally don't care. I just want haughty Americans to shut up and respect difference in opinions.

In their hearts, the French saw that accord, along with plans for an EU rapid-reaction force, as a step towards creating a Europe-only alternative to NATO. Britain, however, worried that such an alternative might weaken NATO and lead to American disengagement from Europe

America is doing a lot to try to sabotage the EU further integration because they know they won't be No1 anymore. It's already a fact that the EU is stronger economically and politically (4 out of 6 members at the UN security council) than the US. An elected EU president would put him at the same level (or higher) than the US president. If that happens to be Chirac (not my wish, but not impossible), that picture might prove ridiculously shotr-sighted for the author of this article and the audience he wrote it for :

D0503EU1.jpg
 
Lol, what else did you expext of the Economist?

A new term was created last week by top hawk Donald Rumsfeld: he talked about "old Europe" when he referred to France and Germany which both strongly oppose a war against Iraq. That was a clever move, as he *obviously* managed to split the Euro-governments. The same governments that had already agreed on a common EU stance towards the issue. Only five days later a few European head of states (Britain, Spain, Italy, Danmark and the Eastern European NATO members) put ads in large newspapers pledging alliance to the U.S. and encouraging the sceptics to support GWB in his "crusade against the evil". Leader of that pack was - surprise, surprise - Nato's former secretary general Javier Solana. Solana, Berlusconi, Aznar and Co. thus did a lot of damage to Europe's Common Foreign & Security Policy (CFSP). I wish these honourable gentlemen would listen to public opinion.

NATO? Who cares about NATO, an obsolete dinosaur that's been kept alive artificially since the end of Cold War? Just another instrument of hegemony defending what they deem is freedom and democracy.

Currently, there's an additional nuisance to GWB in the Security Council: Germany just took over the council's presidency.

Mr. Rumsfeld, I am proud to be part of Old Europe and be reminded that you originate from there too!


"Old Europe" jibe prompts German, French media ire

=> http://www.sundayobserver.lk/2003/01/26/fea02.html

Sorry for my ranting, Maciamo, but Rumsfeld's arrogant remarks just came back to my mind when I read your post.

:blush:
 
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The same analysis of Anglo-French relationship, in the very different light of the BBC : Iraq tops Blair-Chirac agenda

There seems to be no problem, no bitter words... What a contrast of view :

UK Foreign Secretary Jack Straw, who has joined the summit with his French counterpart Dominique de Villepin, stressed that the Anglo-French relationship was "very good".

Mr de Villepin said it was "terrific", with Mr Straw adding: "We agree about everything."
 

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