jacques chirac

[justineo]

Jacques Chirac has reportedly made a series of insulting comments about Britain to the German and Russian leaders, at the G8. Apparently, he said that the only thing UK has brought to European farming was Mad Cow Disease, that the UK couldn't be trusted because of the standard of cooking and that only Finland had worse food that the UK. Regardless of whether you agree with what he said, don't you think it's a bit childish to make these silly jibes at such a serious summit?

[jno]

It wasn't actually at the summit, it was at a pre-summit meeting in Russia. The comments were 'private' ones - they weren't broadcast, but they were overheard by journalists; hard to say if that was intentional or not. Childish, yes, but actually, it all performs a useful service, revealing France's attitude and the mindset of a politician who's on the way out.

[nuoyg]

I don't generally bother with the news (esp politics) as it makes me feel too humpy so I didn't know about this, but I agree...there does seem to be a childish element to it.  At some point he'll probabaly shout out 'Your mum' (an age old insult back at my school - if you didn't know what to say back you just threw that into a row, don't ask me why).

[elgroucho]

It's classic smokescreen politics, he's lost his referendum and is unpopular in his own country. Therefore he immediately turns on Britain to make himself popular in his own country again (see Britain's EU rebate and comments regarding British cuisine). He's a dinosaur on his way out, and the sooner he goes the better.

[luckyboy]

 Quite right elgroucho,He's deeply unpopular at the moment in france and was humiliated in the referendum...so ever since then like the devious political bully he is, he's been playing up the nationalist politics [brit bashing] to appease his french public, and thus deflect attention from the many problems his policies have caused at home , but what i've been told it hasn't worked..and hes still as unpopular as ever

[Ducati]

The CAP is deeply inequitas and this slimey ******* knows it - the French farmers get a completely disproportionate amount of EU subsidies, and therefore he's trying to mud sling to divert attention to this obvious fact. Plus, don't forget, if he loses his position, he faces arrest for when he was the deeply corrupt mayor of Paris. 

[mash]

I think Chirac is looking to compete with Bush for being the most out of touch leader on the planet, skilled only in making daft statements. The food in the UK has moved on, so should Chirac. Statements like this from a Pro European don't make sense. He's pro the advancement of Europe, providing everything's French of course! What is British food these days anyway?

[mash]

PS the French food should be good Chirac gets enough money to produce the stuff!

[twiglet4frog]

60 years ago his country was all but lost until a brave and rather small country like the UK decided to almost commit suicide to save them and ourselves.

You would think that as the number one ambassador for his country the president of france would actually show a great deal of respect for the people of this nation, even if he doesnt agree with the politics.

His comments on our cuisine and saying all we are good for is BSE is nothing to do with rebates or EU or anything, it is just a pathetic jibe at the british people he so hates

[twiglet4frog]

dont get me wrong, i dont think the french should be at our feet or anything like that, they are allowed to disagree with things about us and live there own lives without owing us anything, but a little respect and courtesy (as opposed to nasty remarks and tittle tattle) is very little to ask of anyone!

Even Bush in an interview yesterday said he wouldnt agree to anything and his relationship with us isnt a quid pro quo thing, but he does respect us and glad of what we helped with in iraq.

That is a difference of opinion with a bit of political back slapping as way of respect, might seem a bit two faced at times but at least its there, unlike with the french!

[WoWo]

It's a shame that the only thing the French can be proud of it's cooking.

[Space]

Thanks, WoWo, for providing another fine example of childish insulting comment about another country.

Chirac is a kid. He proved it many times, especially with the way he lies, regardless of the fact that his lies are obvious to most of the public. He is just like a kid who denies stealing sweets although he was seen doing it. No wonder he has such a schoolyard humour. Next time, he'll say some dumb joke about the belgian...

[twiglet4frog]

i wonder if he will visit the olympics and be fed our cuisine? or do u think he has eaten enough humble pie lately?

[janesmythe22]

Truly bad politician he is. Good politicians are not supposed to tell truth.

[jimtom]

Well, according to Rick Stein, when he had the "honour" of cooking for M. Chirac last year when Chirac had a meeting with Tony Blair in No.10, Monsoir Chirac drank German lager all night and not the fine wines provided.
"Nothing wrong with that ",I hear you say , I agree absolutley,but lager with Rick Stein cooked Lobster???
The man's a real epicure innit.
Au revoir, Jimbo