POLITICS: France Seeks Alliance With The U.S. Not Submission

In an interview with CNN, French Foreign Minister Michel Barnier called for a "new trans-Atlantic relationship". However he said that an France would not bow to the will of the United States. Relations between the two nations have been suffering since the run up to the Iraq war. He further emphasized that the United States could not face the challenge of combating global terrorism, poverty, and instability in the world alone.



I am always looking for an ulterior motive. As someone once said nations do not have friends, they have interests. Is there a motive behind the attempt at fence building? The Bush administration has softened its stance somewhat, but nowhere near what it would take to have the two nations join hands and sing kumbayah. Where are the French going with this?

Well France and the US would have a lot more to gain than to loose from friendly relations. I think the rest of the world would also welcome better relations between the two of the oldest democracies in the world, besides maybe China, Iran and others that have benefited from this rift. Both sides are going to have to make concessions though and maybe the UK would be a good intermediary when it comes to forming strategies. Oh and sitting in the UN listening to the French whine for a few more week before any other war ain't so bad if it means that less US, UK and Australian troops will die because of extra troops from France and her buddies.

[edit on 20-1-2005 by Trent]