How's it all playing in France itself? (was IRAQ? Not exactly about it...)

From: Lee Corbin (lcorbin@tsoft.com)
Date: Wed Feb 19 2003 - 22:35:04 MST

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    Michael writes

    > -----Original Message-----
    > From: owner-extropians@extropy.org
    > Behalf Of Michael M. Butler
    >
    > France's non-up-shutting correspondents...
    >
    > > http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/2780881.stm
     
    How can Chirac get away with this *within* France? Are
    there French readers of this list who can describe what's
    happening there? Or does anyone have an account?

    Thanks, Lee

    > > 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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