Colin Powell had a taste of the "OLD Europe" sarcasm during the Security Council Meeting on Iraq
( Excerpt from the article, Council members: We are older than you by WILLIAM M. REILLY)
UNITED NATIONS, Feb. 14 (UPI) - French Foreign Minister Dominique de Villepin wound up his pro-extended inspection remarks by recalling U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld's recent description of France and Germany as part of an "old Europe" as opposed to the British-led U.S. allies in Europe.
French Foreign Minister Dominique de Villepin:
" This message comes to you today from an old country, France, from a continent like mine, Europe, that has known wars, occupation and barbarity. An old country that does not forget and knows everything it owes to the freedom-fighters who came from America and elsewhere and yet has never ceased to stand upright in the face of history and before mankind. It wishes resolutely to act with all the members of the international community. Faithful to its values, it believes in our ability to build together a better world (applause)."
British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw
"Mr. President, I speak on behalf of a very old country founded -- (laughter) -- founded in 1066 by the French. (Laughter, scattered applause.) Thank you."
But when it came turn for
Tang Jiaxuan, the foreign minister of China, to speak, he just discreetly pointed out he represented an "old civilization" that learned a long time ago war did not pay.
Colin Powell had a taste of the "OLD Europe" sarcasm during the Security Council Meeting on Iraq
( Excerpt from the article, Council members: We are older than you by WILLIAM M. REILLY)
UNITED NATIONS, Feb. 14 (UPI) - French Foreign Minister Dominique de Villepin wound up his pro-extended inspection remarks by recalling U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld's recent description of France and Germany as part of an "old Europe" as opposed to the British-led U.S. allies in Europe.
French Foreign Minister Dominique de Villepin:
" This message comes to you today from an old country, France, from a continent like mine, Europe, that has known wars, occupation and barbarity. An old country that does not forget and knows everything it owes to the freedom-fighters who came from America and elsewhere and yet has never ceased to stand upright in the face of history and before mankind. It wishes resolutely to act with all the members of the international community. Faithful to its values, it believes in our ability to build together a better world (applause)."
British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw
"Mr. President, I speak on behalf of a very old country founded -- (laughter) -- founded in 1066 by the French. (Laughter, scattered applause.) Thank you."
But when it came turn for
Tang Jiaxuan, the foreign minister of China, to speak, he just discreetly pointed out he represented an "old civilization" that learned a long time ago war did not pay.
