From Scrappleface: "I'm sorry about that Axis of Weasels remark," said Mr. Rumsfeld. "I didn't mean to dredge up the history France and Germany share of pathetic compliance with ruthless dictators." The Defense Secretary said he was "way out of bounds" with the comments. "I should have known better than to remind people that these two nations--which live in freedom thanks only to the righteous might of America, Britain and their allies--that these nations are morally and politically bankrupt, and have failed to learn the lessons of history," he said. "It really was an inappropriate thing to say--you know, the Axis of Weasels thing. I really should not have called them the Axis of Weasels. I think it's the 'Weasels' part that was most offensive...you know, when I said that France and Germany form an Axis of Weasels. Of course, I'm so sorry."
So what do you make of the French siding with Bush as far as the lifting of Iraqi sanctions go? The rest of Europe doesn't seem so sure yet, but France came right out for it.
Up until the war, France and Russia were the leading proponents of lifting the sanctions, knowing that their close relationship with Saddam would lead to incresed profits if we'd only get out of the way. But after the invasion, and right up until yesterday, both countries had done an abrupt about-face and were saying that sanctions should remain. But yesterday there was a closed door meeting at the UN of the permanent members. The rumor floating around, and it's just a rumor, is that Britain and the US presented France and Russia with a ton of preliminary materials out of Iraq which demonstrates an almost total perfidy on their parts; selling arms, technology and luxury goods to Saddam in direct and blatent violation of the UN sanctions on a scale that is scarcely imaginable. They were told, according to the speculation, that they were henceforth gpooing to shut the hell up or their hypocrisy and their double-dealing and their lies would be presented by Colin Powell in full public session on TV. It COULD bring down their governments. Immediately thereafter, both governements announced they had changed their minds and were proposing "suspending" the sanctions immediately. Like I said, at the moment it's just a theory.