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INTRODUCED
February 20, 2003
H. 3664
S. Printed 2/20/03--H.
Read the first time February 20, 2003.
TO REFLECT ON TWO HUNDRED YEARS OF GOOD RELATIONS WITH FRANCE, AMERICA'S FIRST ALLY, EXPRESS GENUINE REGRET OVER THE RECENT ACTIONS OF FRANCE IN OPPOSING AMERICAN FOREIGN POLICY REGARDING IRAQ, AND CALL UPON FRANCE TO SUPPORT THE EFFORTS OF THE UNITED STATES TO RID IRAQ AND THE WORLD OF THE EVIL DICTATOR SADDAM HUSSEIN AND HIS WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION.
Whereas, for over two centuries the relationship between the United States and France has been warm, friendly, and for the most part marked by cooperation and numerous treaties and international agreements. As partners and allies the two countries have prospered in promoting culture, science, technology, and space exploration. They have forged strong economic ties and shared common cause in the love of freedom; and
Whereas, the friendship forged on the battlefields of the American Revolution, World War I, World War II, and elsewhere, is strained by French opposition to the plans of the United States to use military force if necessary to disarm Iraq of weapons of mass destruction and rid both Iraq and the world of a ruthless dictator, Saddam Hussein; and
Whereas, holding a permanent seat on the Security Council of the United Nations, France has threatened to veto a United Nations resolution for military action in Iraq. France, along with Germany and Belgium, also inexplicably opposed a United States backed North Atlantic Treaty Organization proposal to support Turkey in the event of a war with Iraq, an action that threatened to splinter the nineteen-member security alliance established in 1949 that saved Western Europe from communist expansion; and
Whereas, two hundred years ago France was America's greatest ally. Today, faced with a war against international terrorist and the threat posed by Saddam Hussein's weapons of mass destruction, the attitude and actions of France toward the United States lend aid and comfort to Iraq and Saddam Hussein. The obvious and natural result of France's actions in the United Nations and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization is to stir deep feelings of anger, resentment and betrayal among most Americans; and
Whereas, after the horrific attacks of September 11, 2001, and while faced with the gravest of dangers from international terrorists, the United States cannot allow France to have a veto or obstructionist power over American foreign policy. Thus, if France persists in refusing to support the United States on Iraq, and in blocking United States actions before the United Nations and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, the United States must restructure its alliances in Europe and around the world and exclude France from future defense coalitions; and
Whereas, it is hoped France will once again choose to support the United States in these critical times. In the interim, and in the face of French obstructionism of American foreign policy, Americans everywhere may want to reconsider their personal choices in international business and foreign trade, as well as in the market places at home. After all, it makes no sense to buy French products, goods, and services, or to support and defend a country that steadfastly refuses to support an ally when faced with the gravest of dangers. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:
That the members of the General Assembly, by this resolution, reflect on two hundred years of good relations with France, America's first ally, express genuine regret over the recent actions of France in opposing American foreign policy regarding Iraq, and call upon France to support the American efforts to rid Iraq and the world of the evil dictator Saddam Hussein and his weapons of mass destruction.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the President of the United States, the Secretary of State, the United States Senate, the United States House of Representatives, each member of the South Carolina Congressional Delegation, and to the French Embassy in Washington, DC.
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