The original report of this man’s manic rant was carried by the Guardian [see my “French politician makes rabid attack on Tories” sent late 4/11/09]
Clearly the man has had his head banged comprehensively against a brick wall. Satisfying innit?
Christina
=================================
BBC ONLINE 5.11.09
French minister bids to calm row
French minister Pierre Lellouche has said he is not worried about the Tories' new European policy and would be able to work with David Cameron.
Mr Lellouche had appeared to be highly critical of the Tories' pledge to take some powers back from Brussels, claiming the stance was "pathetic".
But he told the BBC he considered shadow foreign secretary William Hague a "friend" and would work with him.
He said he was prepared to "live with" whatever policy the UK had on Europe.
'Saddened'
Mr Lellouche, Minister for Europe under President Sarkozy, raised eyebrows when he told a British newspaper that the Conservatives risked "castrating" themselves in Europe by pursuing their current policy.
In the aftermath of the ratification of the Lisbon Treaty and the Conservatives' decision to drop their referendum pledge, leader David Cameron has vowed to give the British people a vote on future treaties transferring any further powers to Brussels.
He also said he would seek to renegotiate existing laws to regain national supremacy over some social, employment and criminal justice powers - which would require the approval of all 27 EU members.
Speaking to the BBC, Mr Lellouche said he was "saddened" by the tone of "Euro-hostility" in the Conservative discussions over Europe. [Do you wonder if this is what they face? -cs]
He said that the Tories did not appear to want to "listen" to France and other EU members over the future direction of Europe.
However, he toned down his early criticism, saying his use of the words "pathetique" - which can mean sad or unfortunate in French - had been misunderstood.
He also said he did not realise the word "autistic" - which he used to describe the Tory policy - could seen as offensive in English and he retracted the remark.
++++++++++++++++++++++++
No-one is going to steal the sovereignty of the UK without the approval of the British people
Pierre Lellouche, French minister for Europe
++++++++++++++++++++++++
He made clear he thought he had been speaking off-the-record and had not expected his comments to be reported in The Guardian newspaper.
Mr Lellouche, who describes himself as "one of the most Anglophile politicians in France", [Blimey! What are the rest like? -cs] said he would be prepared to talk to and work with a Conservative government should it win power.
He said he was "convinced" that the UK would "eventually" get back to playing a "full role" in Europe under the Tories "despite this rhetoric" - which he attributed to the Conservatives' long-spell in opposition.
"Europe needs the UK and you need Europe," he said, adding: "It is important".
He added: "No-one is going to steal the sovereignty of the UK without the approval of the British people." [They’ve already done so and - thanks to Brown - without our approval -cs]
The Conservatives had shrugged off Mr Lellouche's comments as an "emotional outburst" and said they did not reflect attitudes higher up the French government or in other European capitals.
Posts
