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White House: Bush, Chirac conversation 'businesslike'Relations between two nations strained with Iraqi war
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- President Bush had what the White House described as a "businesslike" phone conversation Tuesday with French President Jacques Chirac, the first time the two leaders have spoken since the beginning of war with Iraq, which France adamantly opposed. While a spokeswoman for the French leader called the conversation "positive," the White House assessment of the conversation was cooler. White House Press Secretary Ari Fleischer described the 20-minute phone conversation, initiated by Chirac, as "wide-ranging," but made a pointed distinction when asked by a reporter whether it was positive. "From the president's point of view, he would call it a businesslike conversation," Fleischer said. Relations between France and the United States have been frosty since France opposed U.S.-led efforts to secure a second U.N. resolution authorizing military action against Iraq and repeatedly voiced its opposition to war. "The president talked about Iraq and his confidence that conditions in Iraq will be better than they were before the war as a result of our efforts there," Fleischer said. France's stance -- which was shared by other nations, including Germany and Russia -- drew ridicule on late-night talks shows and protests by ordinary Americans, some of whom poured French wines on the streets. Some lawmakers also voiced their frustration with France, believing the nation should have supported the U.S. position. In one show of displeasure, lawmakers ordered House cafeterias to change the name of "French fries" to "freedom fries." Asked whether Bush was still annoyed with France, Fleischer said the two nations shared "common values" but had disagreed "strenuously" on how to disarm Iraq. "We have differences," Fleischer said. "We still have some of those differences. But that won't stop the president from working in a businesslike and professional way with an ally like France." With the war in Iraq an apparent success, attention has focused on the task of rebuilding the nation and establishing a new government there in the wake of the collapse of Saddam Hussein's regime. That could be a lucrative prospect for any companies that snare contracts to help with Iraq's reconstruction. Fleischer, relaying what a French spokesman had said, reported that Chirac told Bush that France wanted to play a "pragmatic role in reconstruction events in Iraq." The White House spokesman called that "an interesting choice of words" and said he wasn't sure what the French desired. "I think that's something that France can explain," Fleischer said. "I think that they may be seeking to find what role they may be able to play." Syria also discussedThe two leaders also discussed Syria, which the United States accuses of developing chemical weapons and offering safe haven to fleeing members of the fallen Iraqi regime. "They agreed that Syria should not harbor Iraqi leaders," Fleischer said. The two men are to meet face to face during the G-8 meeting next month in France. In Paris, a spokeswoman for Chirac said the French leader told Bush his views about the war remained unchanged, according to the Associated Press, but there were indications he had softened his stance on what kind of role the United Nations ought to play now in Iraq. Previously, Chirac has called for a "central" U.N. role in a post-Saddam Iraq. Catherine Colonna, the French spokeswoman, did not use the word "central" Tuesday when she talked about the Bush-Chirac conversation. "France believes that the international community should give itself the best possible chance and thus make room for the United Nations as soon as possible," the Associated Press quoted her as saying. "It's in the interests of everyone." Copyright 2003 CNN. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Associated Press contributed to this report.
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