France, Germany criticize U.S. handover plans

[NNN0LHI]

http://msnbc.msn.com/id/4980753/

It looks like a rerun of a bad movie: the United States and Europe are again arguing over Iraq — this time, over whether the U.S. will allow Iraq’s caretaker government to have real power after June 30.

“The Iraqi government has to be in a position to govern and that’s why I mean it has to be a break with the past,” said French Foreign Minister Michel Barnier.

Why does French opinion matter? Because France can veto the United Nations resolution that is critical to the U.S. exit strategy.

Friday, United States Secretary of State Colin Powell said he is sure the new government will want U.S. forces to stay, but said if asked to leave, the U.S. would. "Were this interim government to say to us, ‘We really think we can handle this on our own, it would be better if you would leave,’ we would leave,” he said.

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[mom cat]

1. Three cheers for "Old Europe". Hope they stand up to the dunce.

[jimshoes]

2. As much as I'd like to believe that....

I won't get my hopes up. They haven't told the truth once concerning Iraq, why would they start now?