GWBush the diplomat?

[Mavdog]

Here's a portion of GWBush's speech yesterday on the 1 yr anniversary of the war wherein he extends an olive branch to those who were opposed to his actions on the Iraq war. Bush pointedly includes France in the group commended for Afganistan, along with Germany, clearly extending an olive branch to them going forward.

As Henry Higgins said to Elisa Doolittle, (with a gender change of course) "I think He's got it!"
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This progress is a tribute to the brave Afghan people, and to the efforts of many nations. NATO -- including forces from Canada, France, Germany, and other nations -- is leading the effort to provide security. Japan and Saudi Arabia have helped to complete the highway from Kabul to Kandahar, which is furthering commerce and unifying the country. Italy is working with Afghans to reform their legal system, and strengthening an independent judiciary. Three years ago, the people of Afghanistan were oppressed and isolated from the world by a terrorist regime. Today, that nation has a democratic government and many allies -- and all of us are proud to be friends of the Afghan people.

Many countries represented here today also acted to liberate the people of Iraq. One year ago, military forces of a strong coalition entered Iraq to enforce United Nations demands, to defend our security, and to liberate that country from the rule of a tyrant. For Iraq, it was a day of deliverance. For the nations of our coalition, it was the moment when years of demands and pledges turned to decisive action. Today, as Iraqis join the free peoples of the world, we mark a turning point for the Middle East, and a crucial advance for human liberty.

There have been disagreements in this matter, among old and valued friends. Those differences belong to the past. All of us can now agree that the fall of the Iraqi dictator has removed a source of violence, aggression, and instability in the Middle East. It's a good thing that the demands of the United Nations were enforced, not ignored with impunity. It is a good thing that years of illicit weapons development by the dictator have come to the end. It is a good thing that the Iraqi people are now receiving aid, instead of suffering under sanctions. And it is a good thing that the men and women across the Middle East, looking to Iraq, are getting a glimpse of what life in a free country can be like.

[dude1394]

MD, bush has always tried to get france/germany in on this deal. However when France announces that they would veto ANY UN resolution that approved of force against iraq, there just isn't much more negotiating to do.

Of course now our "allies" the French are participating in war games with China and the EU is trying to lift sanctions against selling them weaponry. With friends like that.........