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To: TobagoJack who wrote (27711)	1/24/2003 2:09:36 AM
From: elmatador	Read Replies (3) \| Respond to of 74559

France and Germany hit at Rumsfeld jibe By Hugh Williamson in Berlin and Guy Dinmore in Washington Published: January 23 2003 22:01 \| Last Updated: January 23 2003 22:01 <<The US can buy good behavior of Eastern Europeans but not of the Westerners!>> 'Old Europe' hit back with anger and disbelief on Thursday at the suggestion by Donald Rumsfeld, US secretary of defence, that Germany and France, which failed to back US policy on Iraq, were no longer modern states or important allies of Washington. Jacques Chirac, French president, and Gerhard Schröder, German chancellor, tried unsuccessfully to calm tempers, as senior politicians from their countries lashed out at Mr Rumsfeld for "misunderstanding Europe" and for breaking diplomatic protocol. News in-depth: Iraq For latest news and analysis on Iraq, click here Speaking in reaction to the display of united opposition in Paris and Berlin towards US pressure for an early war against Iraq, Mr Rumsfeld on Wednesday described Germany and France as a "problem". "I think that's old Europe. If you look at the entire Nato Europe today, the centre of gravity is shifting to the east. And there are a lot of new members." Francis Mer, French finance minister, said on French television he was "deeply insulted" by Mr Rumsfeld's comments, while Joschka Fischer, the German foreign minister, called on the US defence secretary to tone down his rhetoric. "The only answer is: cool down," said Mr Fischer, whose government is opposed to a war at any time. Colin Powell, US secretary of state, acknowledged "sharp differences" between the US and its European allies. He was more conciliatory than Mr Rumsfeld while being firm that Iraq had to disarm. Mr Powell and Jack Straw, UK foreign secretary, reiterated that French and German opposition would not stop the US and Britain from going ahead. Russia and China on Thursday indicated they backed the French and German position. Both countries, along with France, the UK and US, are permanent members of the UN Security Council with veto power. Igor Ivanov, Russian foreign minister, said: "There is no serious reason for the start of a military attack on Iraq. We hope that no country will take single action outside UN decisions." US President George W. Bush spoke to Vladimir Putin, the Russian leader, who said the criteria of evaluating action should be the report of the UN inspectors on Iraqi co-operation, due on Monday. European diplomats said efforts were under way to bridge the gap by probing the possibility of giving UN weapons inspectors more time in Iraq. But an extension would amount to a few weeks, not months, they said.