From: Michael M. Butler (mmb@spies.com)
Date: Wed Feb 19 2003 - 12:14:25 MST
France's non-up-shutting correspondents...
>
> http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/2780881.stm
>
>
> Chirac invokes 'New Europe' ire
>
> Chirac has been widely condemned in the candidate countries
>
> French President Jacques Chirac's criticism of the East European EU
> applicants' support for the US stance on Iraq has generated a wide debate
> and angry reaction in the press in those countries. The following are quotes
> from newspapers from across the region.
>
>
> The Czech Republic
>
> The French president is without doubt walking on thin ice when he tries to
> base European foreign policy on the principle of anti-Americanism. His
> theory does not even have the support of the majority of EU member states.
> Hospodarske Noviny
>
> All Central European nations are used to the interpretations that some
> countries have more rights than others. They are also used to furious
> tirades, followed by tanks. If Chirac wants to revive the spirit of Leonid
> Brezhnev and renew the doctrine of limited sovereignty, which means fewer
> rights for some countries, it is his own affair.
> Mlada Fronta Dnes
>
> The EU is a realistic kind of club where it's all about political power and
> pushing through the aims of individual states. And when it gets
> uncomfortable for EU politicians to take on board new countries, they calmly
> throw them overboard, for instance over their attitude to the USA.
> Lidove Noviny
>
>
> Hungary
>
> Chirac is probably not alone in his views, even if the politicians of other
> EU states put things more diplomatically. However, the two camps, split over
> the Iraq affair, both seek the favours of the central and east-central
> European states which, owing to their Nato and expected EU membership, have
> grown in value.
> Magyar Hirlap
>
> Specific eastern European views has now become an unavoidable presence in
> the set of values of the expanding EU. It was no coincidence that, following
> the adoption of the joint stance, the French president criticized in
> unusually sharp language those candidate states which had been urging a
> firmer EU-US stand on Iraq.
> Nepszabadsag
>
>
> Latvia
>
> All right, Monsieur Chirac. Perhaps we are poor. Perhaps we were not raised
> properly. We do not know about fine wine and the various directions of
> avant-garde art. But we do not repay those who have helped us and who
> continue to help us with ingratitude.
> Neatkariga Rita Avize
>
> Perhaps there are some in Paris who want to be the patriarch of Europe's
> "family", letting others in the family "knock on the door" humbly. By
> denying the right of others to hold independent views, however, France runs
> a risk of being alone with its own view.
> Diena
>
>
> Lithuania
>
> Paris's attempt to ruin EU enlargement may lead to a rift in the EU. But
> this scenario would be a nightmare even for France itself, which is trying
> to proclaim itself as the strongest EU power.
> Lietuvos Rytas
>
> It seems France, the nation with old pedagogical traditions, decided to
> continue educating the European juniors.
> Verslo Zinios
>
>
> Poland
>
> Chirac allowed himself to say things which should not have been said...
> Poland can make its own sovereign decisions about its views. EU membership
> must not deprive us of this right. Loyalty towards Paris should not mean
> subordination. Loyalty brings obligations on both sides.
> Rzeczopolita
>
>
> Romania
>
> French President Jacques Chirac's harsh criticism of Romania and Bulgaria
> for bad behaviour and recklessness for their support for the USA on Iraq is
> without precedent... During the Gulf War Romania was criticised for
> supporting Iraq and it is now criticised for supporting the USA.
> Adevarul
>
>
> Slovenia
>
> Most senior politicians of sovereign states have no right to their own
> opinion, even if it is even more controversial than the "Vilnius
> declaration". The "cold shower" was sudden but it did not come completely
> out of the blue.
> Delo
>
> Slovakia
>
> Jacques Chirac's degrading message to the candidate countries can actually
> be taken as a compliment. The French President admitted defeat in his rage.
> Suddenly the 15 [EU members] succeeded in resolving within a couple of hours
> a matter on which they were not able to agree for months. It was the "new
> Europe" which forced "the old" to overcome itself.
> Sme
>
> Neither Slovakia, nor any other candidate country will enter the EU to keep
> silent but in order to make their voice be heard more... After enlargement,
> the EU will be different. Less French or German, less Chirac's. However, not
> worse for that.
> Pravda
>
> "When [Chirac] reproached the candidate countries for not having discussed
> their attitudes with the others to a minimal extent at least, he forgot that
> it was mainly France and Germany who, since the very beginning, have taken a
> negative stance on a possible use of force against Iraq and on Turkey's
> request for ... military aid without asking about positions of other
> countries.
> Narodna Obroda
>
>
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