LONDON (Reuters) - Last year's U.S.-led invasion of Iraq (news - web sites) and ousting of President Saddam Hussein (news - web sites) has, if anything, made the world more dangerous, French President Jacques Chirac said on the eve of a state visit to key U.S. ally Britain.
The French leader's interview with the British Broadcasting Corporation, excerpts of which were aired Wednesday, indicate little chance of success for British Prime Minister Tony Blair (news - web sites)'s efforts to mend Franco-American ties damaged by the Iraq war.
"I'm not at all sure that one can say the world is safer," Chirac said. "There is no doubt there has been an increase in terrorism."
"To a certain extent Saddam Hussein's departure was a positive thing but it also provoked reaction such as the mobilization in a number of countries of men and women of Islam which has made the world more dangerous."
The full interview with the BBC is to be aired Wednesday evening as Chirac prepares to fly to Britain Thursday to meet Blair, Queen Elizabeth and business leaders to celebrate 100 years of Entente Cordiale -- an agreement that brought about French-British cooperation after a long history of rivalry.
Chirac, whose strong opposition to the war prompted Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld to dismiss France as part of "Old Europe," has questioned what Blair has gained from his unstinting support of the invasion.
In a newspaper interview Tuesday, Chirac said he had urged Britain before the invasion to press President Bush (news - web sites) to revive the Middle East peace process in return for London's support for the war.
"Well, Britain gave its support but I did not see much in return," Chirac was quoted as saying in the Times. "I am not sure that it is in the nature of our American friends at the moment to return favors systematically."
Blair's support for the war prompted bitter faction fighting inside his ruling Labor Party and torpedoed his public approval ratings ahead of elections expected by mid-2005.
A poll in the Independent newspaper Wednesday showed that 64 percent of the British public believed that having good relations with continental Europe was more important than maintaining close ties with Washington.
In the Times interview, Chirac recalled a Franco-British summit last year when he asked Blair to try to influence U.S. policy on the Middle East.
"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."
The French leader questioned whether Britain could act as a bridge between the United States and Europe to help heal the transatlantic rift.
"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," he said.
Blair called Monday for Europe and the United States to bury their differences over Iraq and focus on global challenges.
"It is not a sensible or intelligent response for us in Europe to ridicule American arguments and parody their political leadership," Blair said in a major foreign policy speech.
Ok , I'm pissed ! [:@]
Screw Chirac and his whole nation of stupid froggies , he seems to forget that global economy or not we don't need them anymore , they most certainly need us . Think for a moment folks , do you own anything made in France ? Don't count the package in your freezer labeled "Oreida" , those "french" fries were made here . The next time you're in France(fat chance!) don't forget to stop at McDonalds and get a Big Mac , be sure to tell them you want ketchup , not mayo , for your fries . I doubt that they'll refuse to take your money ! [:@]
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Kevin Haendiges
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I can understand why he's upset. It must be really tough to sit back comfortably while others do the work for you for decades, and then face the hardships of economic disruption when we ended over a decade of illegal trade between France and Iraq.
Why do we need France? What do they really provide except for some overrated wines? Certainly not soap. Maybe jacques needs to receive a cold shoulder and no further assistance from us period? Maybe he needs to find out why he should just shut his trap.
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Jesus Christ--The reason for the season!
If you can read this, thank a teacher. If you can read this in English, thank a veteran.
If you're certain you know everything, there's little opportunity to learn anything.
Maybe Jaques-ass Chirac should spend more time trying to un-f**k the economic problems caused by rampant unchecked socialism in France (like their "low" 10% unemployment rate and very healthy welfare-nanny state system), and less time trying to tell the free-est and most economically prosperous nation that has ever existed on Earth how to take care of itself.
It's no coincidence that France harbored and cared for one of the most prolific terrorist masterminds of the 20th century as he died. France actually sent him off with military HONORS! Just goes to show you where France's priorities are on terrorism compared to ours. We kill the little SOB's, France harbors and honors them.
Who needs enemies when you have "allies" like the French![:@]
Aught Six is right, Chirac is just pissed that we put an end to his under the table military weapon sales and billions of dollars in oil deals with Iraq, not to mention the oil for food scam payoffs and going forward with someone in power in Iraq they were "in" with (i.e. future economic benefit to France). It has nothing to do with right or wrong in enforcing the unanimously voted UN resolutions. It is MONEY that drives Chirac.
And, they violated the Oil for Food sanction, lining Saddam's pockets and their own while Iraqi's starved, then worked against the US when we wanted to invade, not because they "disagreed" but because they know their scandalous behavior would be unearthed. They are scum.
Want to get more angry at France?
Maybe jacques needs to receive a cold shoulder and no further assistance from us period? Maybe he needs to find out why he should just shut his trap.
