Interesting People mailing list archives
NATO split over Iraq: Congressman tells the BBC why he believes the french can only surrender
From: Dave Farber <dave () farber net>
Date: Thu, 13 Feb 2003 21:32:36 -0500
------ Forwarded Message From: Sam Smith <S () mSmith net> Date: Fri, 14 Feb 2003 00:20:52 +0000 (GMT) To: Dave Farber <dave () farber net> Subject: NATO split over Iraq: Congressman tells the BBC why he believes the french can only surrender http://www.bbc.co.uk/cgi-bin/radio4/today/listen/audiosearch.pl?ProgID=1044 956954 is the Real Audio clip of an interview with US congressman Pete King on a BBC radio programme a few days ago. Here are a few extracts. The interesting comments from the congressman start about 3 minutes in. The above clip also includes the French Ambassador to NATO's response. Rough transcript by Aimee. PK (extracts): We may have to have a new alliance of countries that are willing to do what has to be done. And again when you have 18 countries going one way, and 3 countries going yet another, three of whom are somewhat in-- let's face it, somewhat inconsequential. I mean, France is no longer a world power, Belgium never was, Germany started two wars in the 20th century. So I mean these aren't-- they -- to me, uh, when I see someone like Vaclav Havel , when I see Poland, these emerging democracies standing up and doing what has to be done, that to me is really the future of Europe. For instance, if you just look at the eight countries that signed the statement supporting the United States, their population far exceeds that of France and Germany. You have Britain and you have Italy and you have Spain and Portugal, and all of the emerging democracies. I mean France doesn't even have an aircraft carrier that works, so I really don't see that France is very much of a power. Well, are we looking at French culture? I mean, exactly what are we looking for with the French? I mean, I assume the French would be capable of going with us into Iraq so they can be there to instruct the Iraqis in how to surrender, and they can send some troops into the Ivory Coast. But, um, I really am not that impressed by the French to be honest with you. Interviewer: Well, that was the Republican Congressman Pete King, and uh we played that tape, um, at the risk of, uh, causing a diplomatic incident to the French Ambassador to NATO Benoit D'Aboville to whom I spoke this morning... ------ End of Forwarded Message ------------------------------------- You are subscribed as interesting-people () lists elistx com To unsubscribe or update your address, click http://v2.listbox.com/member/?listname=ip Archives at: http://www.interesting-people.org/archives/interesting-people/
Current thread:
- NATO split over Iraq: Congressman tells the BBC why he believes the french can only surrender Dave Farber (Feb 13)