Loved this Washington Post story: Rumsfeld Remarks Upset France, Germany. Apparently Germany and France are angry at being labeled “old Europe”. From the story:
When asked in Washington on Wednesday about growing European opposition to war with Iraq, Rumsfeld replied, “You’re thinking of Europe as Germany and France. I don’t.” He added: “I think that’s old Europe. If you look at the entire NATO Europe today, the center of gravity is shifting to the east. And there are a lot of new members.”
Naturally, the French and Germans are angry. In fact, the French ecology minister almost used a bad word on the radio! Good heavens; we can’t have the ecology minister getting upset. I mean, look at all the power the US EPA wields when it comes to war planning and diplomatic negotiation. Nope, wouldn’t do to have them mad at you.
In fact, I’ll take it a step further: Schröder’s statement that the Iraqis should be disarmed by “peaceful means” (and Chirac’s agreement with it) is just what you’d expect from the two countries who sold Iraq most of the banned stuff they’re not supposed to have– not to mention two of the countries who have the most to gain if economic sanctions against Iraq are lifted.
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