tweedledum & tweedledee

by go ask alice when she's ten foot tall. Tue May 31, 2005 17:28

as such he will get to sit opposite Blair in the tweedledee tweedledum round of talks at the G8 in scoaturlund and harang Tony during his presidency of the EU from the end of June.

A graduate of the Ecole Nationale d'Administration spy school, he has never been elected or bothered with having posters done up, kissing babies or going down the supermarket to shake hands, rather he got to where he is today, by hard work in the U$A where he spied on behalf of the republic in the old fashioned charming way, being attached to their embassy there from 1984 to 1992.

His nickname from Mrs Chirac, is "neron".
He has published several books, including poetry and a charming little essay in 2002 : Le cri de la gargouille (the cry of the gargoyle).
He won the Napoleon foundation prize in 2001 for being tall, not eating too much antonine carâme cake, and being super intelligent around blue greys and knowing how to butter up americans.

This is one of his best speeches on file, which he made on St Joseph's day 2003, which you might remember was the day Bush and Blair invaded Iraq, his campaign against the war won him the regard of many outside of the centre right in France, across the benches and beyond in Europe as a whole. His style of rhetoric is varyingly described as aristocratic or poetic. Which means, he likes big words and vague implications, quotes and can handle his sauce. He quite properly said nothing when Paul Ricoeur died.
http://www.consulfrance-munich.de/Villepin1903.htm

by "all together now" Thu Jan 06, 2005 23:25

Tony Blair and Gordon Brown today called for the huge international effort to help the victims of the Asian tsunami to be expanded into a programme to eradicate world poverty.
The prime minister and the chancellor were speaking simultaneously in Downing Street and Edinburgh, prompting speculation that the two were competing for "ownership" of the government's policies to help the developing world.
who will own the gov of the UK?
Mr Blair or MrBrown?
there do seem to be more Mr Browns about these days.

by the merrovinginvanjan Sun Nov 21, 2004 10:21

I'm cutting and pasting it coz it's in english on the 10 downing street site, and maybe loads of ye on principle wouldn't go there, and it's all in french on the Elysee site and maybe loads of ye on principle haven't learnt french.

Nothing really to highlight 'cept that Iran is "on the agenda", and the entente cordial still holds (like how could it not) for post-imperialism clientelle relationships with Africa based on the notion of geo-political responsibility if not outright hegemonic inteference. Chirac you'll note asked everyone to think about Margaret Hassan.

**************************
Opening Remarks from the Prime Minister

Good afternoon, everyone. First of all, I would like to extend a very warm welcome to President Chirac and to his colleagues on the occasion not just of the Anglo-French summit, but also, very importantly, a celebration of the centenary of the Entente Cordiale. We are delighted to have President Chirac and his colleagues here in the UK for this celebration. We have had a series of bilateral discussions today, which have been immensely constructive. I would just like to run through some of the issues that we have been talking about together.

First of all, I should say on the question of Iraq, I think the differences at the time of the conflict were well known, but both of us are now working under UN Resolution 1546 and both of us want to see a stable and democratic Iraq. We will both do what we can to ensure that that happens. However, having stated that there was that disagreement, well known at the time of the conflict, it is just worth pointing out that, particularly in the light of some of the coverage there is, on the question of Iran, of Afghanistan, of the Balkans, of Africa, and of climate change, we are working very closely together.

On the question of European defence, both at a defence level and at an industrial level, we are working closely together. It is worth pointing out that our armed forces have been engaged in cooperation together in many different parts of the world: they still are in Bosnia; they still are in Afghanistan; and, most recently, albeit in a limited and specific way, in respect to the Côte d'Ivoire. Indeed, I expressed to President Chirac my thanks for the assistance that was given by France for the evacuation of British nationals and thanked him for that.

These are all areas in which we are working closely together. We have also discussed the Middle East peace process where, again, we believe it is important that the elections on the Palestinian side go ahead. We must do everything we possibly can to revitalise and reinvigorate that Middle East peace process. In the discussions that our respective ministers have had, they have passed a whole range of different questions from the environment to employment, as well as questions about the future of Europe. Again, on these issues, there is a very, very strong measure of agreement.

I have no doubt at all that it is not possible for either of us to build Europe in the way that it needs building for the future unless we work strongly and closely together. A recommitment to that was an essential part of our discussion today. Can I say, once again, Jacques, it is a pleasure to have you here with your colleagues. Thank you for the discussions that we have had earlier today, and we look forward, across this range of issues, to working with you and your colleagues closely in the future. Many thanks.
Opening Remarks from the President of France

Before I begin, I would like us to think of Margaret Hassan, and I should like to express the depth of horror that what she experienced inspires in us, and, of course, give our fullest sympathy and solidarity to our British friends in this horrific business. I would also, quite naturally, like to thank Prime Minister Tony Blair for his warm welcome on the occasion of this 27th Franco British summit and reiterate, as he rightly pointed out, the fact that this has been held in a spirit of friendship that nothing - I repeat, nothing - can undermine.

This is the centennial of the Entente Cordiale. After having fought one another for 500 years, for one hundred years now we have realised and understood that although we may have differences of views, or interests for that matter, on individual issues, which is only natural, what really matters is all that we had in common, for both the present and the future. When there is any divergence of views and difference of opinion, it should be addressed in a spirit of solidarity and certainly not in a spirit of conflict or confrontation. I think this emerged very clearly during the course of our discussions.

Just a few moments ago, Tony Blair was listing the very many areas in which we work hand in glove in the field or in different international and political institutions and organisations. It is true that in military terms our cooperation stretches from Afghanistan to Africa. I am also thinking of what we did in the Congo where the UK in particular supported us very concretely. I think of the Balkans and the reforms that we undertook together, enabling the European Union to take over from NATO under, very shortly, UK command and, shortly, a UK presidency.

We have done a lot together, and it was not so easy to do all of this. I am thinking, for instance, of a common strategy in terms of European defence. European defence, nowadays, is a driving force, but this has been the case for some years now. It is driven by Franco British cooperation. I remember a time when our divergence of views was at a peak - I am referring to our difference of approach to Iraq - we met at Le Touquet for a Franco British summit. That was the peak of our disagreement on Iraq. It was since St Malo and Le Touquet that we confirmed our determination to work together, and we took the first important steps towards ensuring a truly European defence policy, which, I repeat, is based on cooperation and collaboration, and a vision and approach common to Britain and to France.

I was saying earlier to the Prime Minister that, of course, France will actively support and endorse Britain in its presidency of the European Union in the second half of 2005. I was also saying to him that, as of the beginning of next year, we will be working hand in glove, because we have the same approach, vision and goals in Britain's presidency of the G8. Britain has, in fact, selected two main themes: Africa and development on the one hand, and climate change and its effects on the other, which are two of the most important questions we need to address for the future. The future of humanity could be undermined if, indeed, Africa's development were not pushed forward and assisted. Likewise, it could be jeopardised by climate change and environmental issues, and we will endorse the objectives set by Britain for its presidency of the G8. That is what really matters.

Of course, we equally address the one and only issue on which we do not necessarily agree, which is Iraq. We have a different analysis, we assess things differently, and we draw different conclusions. As to who is right or wrong, history will tell. We certainly will not draw these conclusions, and nor will you; history will be the judge. However, what we do have in common here is a tendency not to look back over our shoulders and analyse the past, but rather to look forward to the future and what it means, given its inherent difficulties.

We should be looking forward to a united, democratic, stable and peaceful Iraq; that must be and is our common objective. There is no divergence of views here. This means that, together, having thought long and hard about it, we voted UN Resolution 1546, which we are implementing together with our partners, be they American, European or from other regions of the world, and we are determined to continue doing so. What matters to all of us is that Iraq, after its political structures have been reorganised, is able to take full control of its own sovereignty and fate within a peaceful context, whereby human rights and democracy are the hallmark of a new Iraq.

As far as the Middle East is concerned, in terms of the Israeli/Palestinian conflict, we again share the same analysis and goals. We believe that, in the present context and in light of the decision taken by the Palestinian authorities to hold elections, which we have all called for and which we hope will be democratically free and fair, we will, again, make our contribution, together with the international community - particularly the EU and the United States - so as to enable the Palestinians to have free and fair elections. I am not saying that it will be easy, but we are certainly part and parcel of the process and we have a common aim, which is that these political structures and institutions should be unchallengeable and unchallenged in Palestine.

I will not say much more, but I am always a little surprised, from time to time, to read the comments made in France which, I think, are a little superficial. They certainly do not reflect either my own beliefs or those of the British Government, nor our experience of Franco British cooperation, as has been evidenced once again, on the occasion of this 27th summit.
Questions and Answer Session

Question:

I would like to ask the President why he thinks the war in Iraq and the removal of Saddam Hussein may not have made the world safer. My question to the Prime Minister is on a domestic matter: the war between the two Charles's. Do you endorse the commentary by your Cabinet colleague on the heir to the throne?

President Chirac:

If you observe the way things are developing in the world, in terms of security and the expansion of terrorism, not just in the Middle East but throughout the world, including Asia, and particularly in Southeast Asia, it is impossible to say that the situation has significantly improved. I do not see a direct link between that and the situation in Iraq, but I note that that is the case.

Prime Minister Blair:

It may sound something of a 'cop out', because I have not read in very great detail what either has said, but I would simply reflect that, if everything I wrote in a memo during a moment of exasperation was given widespread publicity, I might make for a few headlines myself. I am sure that, if we analyse sufficiently closely what each of them has said, there will be some common ground.

Question:

Mr President, you have just said that, together, you will try to support free elections in the Occupied Territories. What do you mean by making a contribution? Does that mean you are going to bring pressure to bear on Israel on behalf of the UK and the US? The French position is well known and very just; the UK position is less well understood in the Arab world. Can you explain to me what projects you specifically have in mind in this regard?

President Chirac:

I would just say that the UK and France consider that there is a window of opportunity, and a need. The window of opportunity is that we could have a more stable political order, and we should do everything we can to achieve it and give it a voice. Following the talks that the Prime Minister had with the United States, I understand that there is a consensus to try to ensure that the elections in Palestine are possible - that the Palestinian people can express their views, and it is necessary for everybody to make an effort to avoid any provocation by any party in that context.

Prime Minister Blair:

The good news is that there is consensus around the world in terms of the objective we are trying to secure, which is a two state solution: Israel, confident of its own security, and a viable Palestinian state. The bad news is we are a long way from achieving that. The question that we have is how do we get there? The five steps that myself and President Bush set out last Friday offer the only way forward at the present time. I think myself and President Chirac are essentially agreed on these components. Firstly, we have to be clear about the overall vision: the two-state solution. Secondly, we have to be clear on the necessity of the Palestinian elections being allowed to go ahead and happening. Thirdly, we have to build, with the Palestinians, the necessary structures - politically, economically, and in security terms - for a viable state. Fourthly, we have to make sure that the disengagement plan that Prime Minister Sharon has outlined actually goes ahead. Fifthly, we have to use these achievements, if they happen, as the opportunity to get back into the roadmap and final status negotiations. There is no issue the world over that causes such concern.

The good news is there is actually an agreement as to where we all want to get to. The bad news is, at the moment the parties are a long way apart, so it needs these intervening steps to be taken in order to get back into the roadmap and final status negotiations, which in the end are the only thing that will resolve this issue sensibly. I think there is a real opportunity to move this forward now, if we are willing to take it. Europe, the United Nations, America, the Quartet countries, but also individually our own countries, will do all that we can to assist that.

Question:

I have a question on cultural divergence. The British Government today is in the process of banning hunting with hounds. I would like to ask the President whether he would welcome British equestrians to join French hunts. To the Prime Minister, in view of your personal opposition to hunting, would you actually like to see a Europe wide ban, on animal rights grounds, on hunting?

Prime Minister Blair:

I think this is quite enough to be going on with, thank you. Jacques, do you have anything to add on that?

President Chirac:

I do not hunt and I have no judgement to make on a great British tradition.

Question:

Do you see divergences in European diplomacy at the present time in terms of a common diplomacy?

Prime Minister Blair:

The best example of European diplomacy taking shape at the moment has been the cooperation between France, Britain, and Germany over the question of Iran and its obligations in respect to the International Atomic Energy Authority (IAEA). As a result of that cooperation, we have actually secured significant advances. We have both been completely open about the differences that there have been on the question of Iraq. It is worth pointing out that on all those other issues, whether it is Iran, Afghanistan, or the Balkans, where our troops work together, or the G8 issues of climate change in Africa, we work on the same line. The cooperation we have is absolutely essential for achieving the goals not only of our two countries, but of the EU as well. Countries will always have their own strong views on foreign policy; of course they always will - France and Britain will. But, we have shown, particularly in relation to Iran, how cooperation between us at a European level, can advance the cause not just of Europe, but of the wider world community.

President Chirac:

I would add that it is obvious that there is progress on European diplomacy. That is a fact. Can you imagine a situation now that the French Foreign Minister would decide an important issue without having talked about it previously with his British, German or European colleagues? Can you imagine that? A vital element in the work of foreign ministers today is sharing, joining together, and cooperation. That was not the case 10 or 20 years ago. A common diplomacy does not mean that from time to time you do not have differences of views, but most of the differences are resolved between them. The Constitution we signed in Rome has provision for a European Foreign Minister. It is not to say that each of our nations will be deprived of their own initiatives in foreign policy; that is not the case at all. It is just that a movement towards harmonising our behaviour towards external countries has developed and will continue to develop. In other words, instead of confronting one another on the ground today, we have meetings and we reach agreement among ourselves; that is what we mean by a common diplomacy. It is developing and it cannot but develop further.

Question:

Mr President, do you welcome the idea of Britain as a bridge between Europe and America? What do you think the state of that bridge currently is? Prime Minister, can I ask you to return to hunting? It is an important day. Do you today celebrate the end of hunting, or do you feel a bit of discomfort that the activities of a minority have been outlawed by the views of a majority?

President Chirac:

Obviously, for historical, cultural and linguistic reasons, the relationship between the UK and the US is almost familial; it is a rather exceptional, privileged link. It is normal. History has given us that. Consequently, the fact that the UK can be a friendly partner between the EU and the United States is an advantage for both the UK and Europe. This is something we spoke about over our working lunch. I would like to recall that the United States and Europe have a natural vocation to work together in the face of the major evolutions in the world of tomorrow. We have to jointly face this world, where you have Africans, Asians, etc., in this world. In the face of that emerging world, the United States and Europe historically and traditionally share the same values and so obviously have a vocation to go forward together, and that is a reality. In the day to day relations - and the UK can also play an important role here in keeping the two close - that is secondary when compared to the essential matter, which is that there is an absolutely irrevocable relationship between Europe and the United States, based on mutual respect and confidence in one another. That is true on both sides of the Atlantic, in America and all of our countries in Europe.

Prime Minister Blair:

In respect of hunting, there will now be a whole series of Court actions. However, for the best part of two years, I have tried to find a compromise and a way through the issue, since there are people on either side of this debate who feel passionately about it. I think that many people in the country would like to have seen a situation in which we dealt with the arguments relating to hunting, whilst, at the same time, understanding the feelings of those who regard this is an integral part of their way of life. It was not possible to find a compromise in Parliament, and the action may now transfer to the Courts. However, despite the very passionate views on either side of this debate, I think that most people would prefer to have seen a compromise acceptance.

Question:

You both talk about peace, and you seem to be advocates of peace in the Middle East, which is greatly appreciated everywhere, since that troubled area has contributed to world destabilisation to a great extent. The efforts seem to be concentrated around Israel and Palestine; to obtain a just and durable peace, should it not be comprehensive and include other parties whose lands are still occupied, for instance, by Israel?

Prime Minister Blair:

Yes. You will only achieve a comprehensive settlement if all the issues are resolved. However, I think that the Israeli/Palestinian dispute is at the heart of this, and there needs to be a massive mobilisation of international effort and will in order to bring this about, because it is an issue that, in a very real way, affects the security of all of us. I have made it clear throughout that this is the single most pressing political challenge that we face, and we will work very hard to move it forward.

In this regard, what President Chirac was saying a moment or two ago about the transatlantic alliance is absolutely right; ultimately, whatever differences exist, that alliance is of fundamental importance and, in relation to an issue such as the Middle East peace process, even though the Americans will, of course, have the lead in such negotiations, the role that Europe can play, particularly in supporting the Palestinian Authority in creating a viable state, is going to be of tremendous importance. The peace process will also focus on other aspects of the dispute and a comprehensive settlement will have to deal with all the different aspects of it. I think it is unlikely that there will be a great deal of progress on the other tracts if there is no progress on the heart of the dispute, which is the Israeli/Palestinian aspect.

Question:

In the past month, Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and even the Foreign Office's annual human rights report have emphasised the alarming spiral of human rights violations in Iran. In effect, the EU and the UN have also condemned these violations. In view of this, and in view of the fact that, for the past 25 years, Iran has not abided by the international covenants and agreements that it has signed; the fact that it has achieved its foreign policy objectives through unconventional means such as terrorism; and the fact that, for the past 20 years, it has hid its nuclear programme from the West, how confident are you that the current agreements are going to succeed, and what is different about them this time? Last week, Mr Prime Minister, you stated that, in order to combat terrorism and fanaticism, you have to be committed to justice, peace and democracy. Do you have any concrete plans to bring justice, freedom and democracy to Iran?

Prime Minister Blair:

Firstly, what is different about the cooperation at a European level in respect of Iran's nuclear obligations is that we have worked in concert right from the very beginning. Time will tell whether the agreements signed will be adhered to. There have been difficulties in the past, but I think our concern is to ensure that those agreements are abided by. In respect of the issues around human rights and democracy, I take the view that the ultimate security that we will have lies in the spread of democracy, human rights and freedom. That does not mean that we can impose these values on any country that, we believe, falls short in this respect, but it does mean that our position is one of constantly arguing for them and supporting those within any country who want the basic freedoms that we, in Britain or France, take for granted.

We can make progress in different ways; sometimes it is best done through dialogue and pressure of a different sort. We will carry on working for this. I think one of the most curious things about the world today is that, unless publicity is given to human rights abuses, people do not think that they happen. However, there are countries in the world where the most grotesque abuses of human rights take place, but they are never captured by cameras and no publicity is ever given to them. I think that, when the UN high level panel reports later this year, one of the issues they will look at is how we put greater pressure in favour of basic democratic rights for all citizens in the world. I am convinced that ultimately as well, that is our best hope of security. For the present time, we proceed in the way that we are. In that, the cooperation between Britain, France and Germany has been exemplary.

President Chirac:

I totally share the views expressed by the Prime Minister. I would also like to add that we all have concerns about the way in which research in the nuclear field is evolving in Iran. We are concerned about everything pertaining to the enrichment and re treatment of nuclear matter. For an exceptional example of the way in which problems can be solved by European diplomacy, you only have to look at the excellent work done by the UK, Germany and France working together in this instance. It has to be said that they were tenacious in these efforts and they had a tremendous capacity to convince their interlocutors. Very few people felt that we could succeed in this effort. We have succeeded with the first step at least.

Now what we need is for the Iranians to accept firstly to cooperate through the board of governors of the IAEA, whose meeting will be held on 25 November. Additionally, in the event that the board of governors confirms that the agreement we have reached with the Iranian authorities is well founded, then subsequently, as a second step, we need to develop a whole, wide ranging programme including provision for the international community to be reassured that the Iranians keep to what they have promised and that there is no falling away and no divergences and no attempts to use the nuclear facility for any military purposes. Also, of course, they must ensure greater welfare for the Iranian people by the use of civil nuclear energy.

The concerns will be examined in detail. Of course, this process needs to be approved by, amongst others, our friends the United States but also by several other powers, which in one way or another have an interest in this area. I have in mind Russia and China. Thereafter, we can say that we have made real and important progress for the planet.

Prime Minister Blair:

Many thanks indeed.

*************************
If you're a bumper analyst then you'll want to compare and contrast this year's entente cordial with last years on Feb 5. which is here -
http://www.number-10.gov.uk/output/Page1769.asp
Ireland is not covered by the "entente" and as I told you subtly above, has been shaped by both of the "ancient nation states" in 1798 and 1801 neither of which can really be considered to have been that terribly helpful to us.
In the meantime the USA are sabre-rattling on Iran, and hopefully this time they'll not get their way. And private citizen Gates has moved on to Madrid where he has "predicted" ("as a prophet" qoute - ABC) the end of CDs as a consumer durable and the commercial music industry as more and more people learn how to share things instead.