The Accordions of War, Part III
Good old Chirac – he has done more to help promote the cause to remove Saddam from power than any other person. While the countries that were formerly under Soviet control already understood the importance of removing Saddam, Chirac telling them to shut up has made them even more vocal about their positions.
Hospodarske Noviny of the Czech Republic The French president is without doubt walking on thin ice when he tries to base European foreign policy on the principle of anti-Americanism. His theory does not even have the support of the majority of EU member states.Neatkariga Rita Avize of Latvia All right, Monsieur Chirac. Perhaps we are poor. Perhaps we were not raised properly. We do not know about fine wine and the various directions of avant-garde art. But we do not repay those who have helped us and who continue to help us with ingratitude.
Diena, also of Latvia Perhaps there are some in Paris who want to be the patriarch of Europe's "family", letting others in the family "knock on the door" humbly. By denying the right of others to hold independent views, however, France runs a risk of being alone with its own view.
Verslo Zinios of Lithuania It seems France, the nation with old pedagogical traditions, decided to continue educating the European juniors.
Sme of Slovakia Jacques Chirac's degrading message to the candidate countries can actually be taken as a compliment. The French President admitted defeat in his rage. Suddenly the 15 [EU members] succeeded in resolving within a couple of hours a matter on which they were not able to agree for months. It was the "new Europe" which forced "the old" to overcome itself.
Narodna Obroda, also of Slovakia "When [Chirac] reproached the candidate countries for not having discussed their attitudes with the others to a minimal extent at least, he forgot that it was mainly France and Germany who, since the very beginning, have taken a negative stance on a possible use of force against Iraq and on Turkey's request for ... military aid without asking about positions of other countries.
After being being oppressed by the Soviets and then freed, it is obvious that the citizens of these countries understand the importance of liberating the Iraqi people and the importance of speaking out. These people give me hope for a better, stronger Europe.