Rift Between U.S., France Escalates

[Alistar7]

New cracks are showing in the damaged French-American relationship with the disclosure that the Pentagon (news - web sites) will snub the upcoming Paris Air Show and France's allegation that the Bush administration is planting false stories about it with U.S. media.

The reconstruction of Iraq will top the agenda when Treasury Secretary John Snow meets in Deauville, France, this weekend for meetings of his counterparts from the world's seven richest industrial countries and Russia.

The United States is hoping to use those talks on Friday and Saturday to resolve differences with France, Germany and Russia ? three countries who opposed the war with Iraq ? over how reconstruction will proceed.


France, Germany and Russia are owed a large portion of huge debts run up during Saddam Hussein (news - web sites)'s rule. They have rejected U.S. proposals for debt forgiveness but have said they would be open to relief in the form of delayed and stretched out payments.

wow, you would have never guessed they had such huge financial interests at hand, I thought they took the moral high ground out of "grave concern" for the people of Iraq...

Let's get it on.....lol

 

[sandorski]

Well, the US has issues with certain Cuban properties as well, that was like 30+ years ago now. Within the last 4ish years a law was passed in the US that penalizes foreign corporations who have interests in former "US properties". France is not alone here.

 

[Alistar7]

yes, Cuba, a former Spanish colony, plenty of problems in the countries of former EU worldwide colonization efforts by various "superpowers" throughout time....

Do you know Cuba's past under Spain?

 

[sandorski]

Originally posted by: Alistar7
yes, Cuba, a former Spanish colony, plenty of problems in the countries of former EU worldwide colonization efforts by various "superpowers" throughout time....

Do you know Cuba's past under Spain?

Huh?

 

[Mister T]

we need to set a precendent that its not a wise move to lend money to rogue regimes that oppress its people... Everyone needs to be accountable for the IRAQ mess. And it started with the first $100bn from the U.S.... now lets who is willing to take the moral high ground... oh wait, no one?

 

[UltraQuiet]

Edited because someone I respect asked me to.