France accuses Australia, US of ‘lying’ in escalating crisis
In this file photo taken on April 6, 2018 French President Emmanuel Macron (right) speaks with presidential diplomatic advisor Philippe Etienne as they take part in the Cedre conference at The Foreign Affairs Ministry in Paris. France on September 17, 2021 recalled its ambassadors to the United States, Philippe Etienne, and Australia, Jean-Pierre Thebault, for consultations in a ferocious row over the scrapping of a submarine contract, an unprecedented step that revealed the extent of French anger against its allies. — AFP pic
PARIS, Sept 19 — France yesterday accused Australia and the United States of lying over a ruptured Australian contract to buy French submarines, saying a grave crisis was underway between the allies after Paris recalled its ambassadors.
President Emmanuel Macron on Friday ordered back the ambassadors to Canberra and Washington in an unprecedented move to signal his fury over Australia’s decision to break a deal for the French submarines in favour of American vessels.
The row has, for now, ended hopes of a post-Donald Trump renaissance in relations between Paris and Washington under President Joe Biden and also focused French attention on boosting the EU’s security strategy as it ponders Nato’s future.
Speaking to France 2 television, Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian gave no indication Paris was prepared to let the crisis die down, using distinctly undiplomatic language towards Australia, the United States and Britain which is also part of the three-way security pact.
“There has been lying, duplicity, a major breach of trust and contempt,” Le Drian said. “This will not do.”
He described the withdrawal of the ambassadors for the first time in the history of relations with the countries as a “very symbolic” act which aimed “to show how unhappy we are and that there is a serious crisis between us”.
‘The third wheel’
He also issued a stinging response to a question over why France had not recalled its ambassador to Britain, when London was also part of the security pact that led to the rupture of the contract.
“We have recalled our ambassadors to (Canberra and Washington) to re-evaluate the situation. With Britain there is no need. We know their constant opportunism. So there is no need to bring our ambassador back to explain,” he said.
Of London’s role in the pact under Prime Minister Boris Johnson, he added with derision: “Britain in this whole thing is a bit like the third wheel.”
Nato would have to take account of what has happened as it reconsiders strategy at a summit in Madrid next year, he added.
France would make a priority now of developing a EU security strategy when it takes on the bloc’s presidency at the start of 2022, he said.
Admiral Rob Bauer, chair of Nato’s Military Committee, earlier played down the dangers, saying it was not likely to have an impact on “military cooperation” within the alliance.
‘Resolve our differences’
Biden announced the new Australia-US-Britain defence alliance on Wednesday, extending US nuclear submarine technology to Australia as well as cyber-defence, applied artificial intelligence and undersea capabilities.
The pact is widely seen as aimed at countering the rise of China.
The move infuriated France, which lost a contract to supply conventional submarines to Australia that was worth Aus$50 billion (US$36.5 billion) when signed in 2016.
A White House official on Friday expressed “regret” over the French envoy’s recall but added, “We will continue to be engaged in the coming days to resolve our differences, as we have done at other points over the course of our long alliance.”
State Department spokesperson Ned Price said in a tweet that Washington understood France’s position and was in “close contact” with Paris.
He added that the issue would be discussed “at the senior level”, including at the United Nations General Assembly next week, which both Le Drian and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will attend.
Le Drian had on Friday described the contract rupture as a “stab in the back” and said the behaviour of the Biden administration had been comparable to that of Trump whose sudden changes in policy exasperated Europe.
Australia has also shrugged off Chinese anger over its decision to acquire the US nuclear-powered submarines, while vowing to defend the rule of law in airspace and waters where Beijing has staked hotly contested claims.
Beijing described the new alliance as an “extremely irresponsible” threat to regional stability, questioning Australia’s commitment to nuclear non-proliferation and warning the Western allies that they risked “shooting themselves in the foot”. — AFP
PARIS, Sept 19 — France yesterday accused Australia and the United States of lying over a ruptured Australian contract to buy French submarines, saying a grave crisis was underway between the allies after Paris recalled its ambassadors.
President Emmanuel Macron on Friday ordered back the ambassadors to Canberra and Washington in an unprecedented move to signal his fury over Australia’s decision to break a deal for the French submarines in favour of American vessels.
The row has, for now, ended hopes of a post-Donald Trump renaissance in relations between Paris and Washington under President Joe Biden and also focused French attention on boosting the EU’s security strategy as it ponders Nato’s future.
Speaking to France 2 television, Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian gave no indication Paris was prepared to let the crisis die down, using distinctly undiplomatic language towards Australia, the United States and Britain which is also part of the three-way security pact.
“There has been lying, duplicity, a major breach of trust and contempt,” Le Drian said. “This will not do.”
He described the withdrawal of the ambassadors for the first time in the history of relations with the countries as a “very symbolic” act which aimed “to show how unhappy we are and that there is a serious crisis between us”.
‘The third wheel’
He also issued a stinging response to a question over why France had not recalled its ambassador to Britain, when London was also part of the security pact that led to the rupture of the contract.
“We have recalled our ambassadors to (Canberra and Washington) to re-evaluate the situation. With Britain there is no need. We know their constant opportunism. So there is no need to bring our ambassador back to explain,” he said.
Of London’s role in the pact under Prime Minister Boris Johnson, he added with derision: “Britain in this whole thing is a bit like the third wheel.”
Nato would have to take account of what has happened as it reconsiders strategy at a summit in Madrid next year, he added.
France would make a priority now of developing a EU security strategy when it takes on the bloc’s presidency at the start of 2022, he said.
Admiral Rob Bauer, chair of Nato’s Military Committee, earlier played down the dangers, saying it was not likely to have an impact on “military cooperation” within the alliance.
‘Resolve our differences’
Biden announced the new Australia-US-Britain defence alliance on Wednesday, extending US nuclear submarine technology to Australia as well as cyber-defence, applied artificial intelligence and undersea capabilities.
The pact is widely seen as aimed at countering the rise of China.
The move infuriated France, which lost a contract to supply conventional submarines to Australia that was worth Aus$50 billion (US$36.5 billion) when signed in 2016.
A White House official on Friday expressed “regret” over the French envoy’s recall but added, “We will continue to be engaged in the coming days to resolve our differences, as we have done at other points over the course of our long alliance.”
State Department spokesperson Ned Price said in a tweet that Washington understood France’s position and was in “close contact” with Paris.
He added that the issue would be discussed “at the senior level”, including at the United Nations General Assembly next week, which both Le Drian and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will attend.
Le Drian had on Friday described the contract rupture as a “stab in the back” and said the behaviour of the Biden administration had been comparable to that of Trump whose sudden changes in policy exasperated Europe.
Australia has also shrugged off Chinese anger over its decision to acquire the US nuclear-powered submarines, while vowing to defend the rule of law in airspace and waters where Beijing has staked hotly contested claims.
Beijing described the new alliance as an “extremely irresponsible” threat to regional stability, questioning Australia’s commitment to nuclear non-proliferation and warning the Western allies that they risked “shooting themselves in the foot”. — AFP
WaKakakakaka…
ReplyDelete"Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian gave no indication Paris was prepared to let the crisis die down, using distinctly undiplomatic language towards Australia, the United States and Britain which is also part of the three-way security pact.
“There has been lying, duplicity, a major breach of trust and contempt,” Le Drian said. “This will not do.”
……
With Britain there is no need. We know their constant opportunism. So there is no need to bring our ambassador back to explain,” he said.
Of London’s role in the pact under Prime Minister Boris Johnson, he added with derision: “Britain in this whole thing is a bit like the third wheel.” "
Warwolf diplomacy!
All u well dwelling katak take note & learn!
5000 yo Bully armed to the teeth with nuklear weapons accuse Oz for not being committed to non-proliferation is very lucu. Ha ha ha…
ReplyDeleteWakakakakaka…
DeleteDon't u think for a second that yr regurgitating lies is much much more lucu?
Oooop… can a bored mfer be awaken out from its daily syiok-sendiri thrill?
5000 yo Bully has up to 350 nuklear warheads, Oz has none. So who is proliferating....?
DeleteHa ha ha, I share the joke....
QUOTE
China Sure Is Building a Bunch of Nuclear Missile Silos
BY KYLE MIZOKAMI
JUL 8, 2021
Analysts have discovered more than 100 new missile silos in China’s northwestern desert region.
The silos are the largest expansion of China’s nuclear weapons program in recent history.
Sharp-eyed analysts studying commercial satellite imagery have uncovered 119 nuclear missile silos deep in China’s interior, each capable of storing one intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) that can reach the United States.
Researchers at the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation
Studies in Monterey, California discovered the silos outside the city of Yumen, in China’s northwestern quarter, just west of a wind farm.
Construction has been very quick, according to the satellite images. The entire area was completely undeveloped as recently as January 2021, and a grid of roads suddenly appeared in March. By June, the missile silo locations were clearly marked, and structures are now visible across what was previously a trackless expanse.
China, the fifth country to develop nuclear weapons, now maintains an arsenal of between 250 to 350 nukes.....
UNQUOTE
Wow… wow…
DeleteThe quantity of the nuclear warheads within the China arsenal is a closely guarded secret!
"Sharp-eyed analysts studying commercial satellite imagery have uncovered 119 nuclear missile silos deep in China’s interior, each capable of storing one intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) that can reach the United States"
Wakakakakaka…
Have someone told u about those remote tulou in Fijian China been identified by US spy planes as missile launching silos?
The Fujian tulou (福建土楼) - 'Fujian earthen buildings' are Chinese rural dwellings unique to the Hakka in the mountainous areas in southeastern Fujian, China. They were mostly built between the 12th and the 20th centuries.