France looks for bigger role in ME peace
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By looking after Yasser Arafat in his last days and sending his body home with full honours, France reinforced its image as a major Palestinian ally and attempted to position itself as a key player should the ...
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Israel's foreign minister on Monday asked France to use its influence in the Arab world to help promote better relations between Israel and Persian Gulf and North African nations.
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French Defence Minister Michele Alliot-Marie travels later this week to Japan, South Korea and China for high-level talks that will touch on key security challenges in the region.
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France urged Ukraine's new authorities under reformist president Viktor Yushchenko to take a gradual approach in preparing for eventually joining the European Union and urged Kiev to uphold good ties with Russia.
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France&#39;s new President Nicolas Sarkozy vowed in a message here Saturday to strengthen dialogue between the European Union and oil-rich Gulf Arab states to make the best use of energy resources.
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LOS ANGELES  - The French are no longer  alone.
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Anybody who might question France's determination to portray itself as a loyal friend of the Arab Middle East need only take a look at the government's agenda.
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The French government is preparing to establish a "new alliance" with the United States after next week's election, The Telegraph reported Tuesday.
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French President Nicolas Sarkozy said  France could boost its presence in Afghanistan to help the  Afghan army and police in a surprise visit to give French  troops his Christmas greetings.
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French Foreign Minister Michel Barnier on Thursday told his country&#39;s 300 ambassadors and chief diplomats around the world to ditch arrogance for influence in their dealings and concentrate on projecting Paris&#39;s power through the European Union.
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France took command of NATO peacekeeping operations in this Serbian province on Wednesday. The move puts French generals in charge of NATO&#39;s two major current operations
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France wants a fresh start in relations  with the United States and both sides have much to contribute  to a renewed transatlantic partnership, Foreign Minister Michel  Barnier said in comments published Monday.
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French President Nicolas Sarkozy urged European Union nations on Monday to accept a greater share of defense spending to cope with escalating global threats.
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France steps up diplomatic efforts over two journalists threatened with execution  in Iraq unless a headscarf law is repealed.
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"I'm worried about the growing attacks that France is deploying against its European allies, against the Germans, the Luxembourgers, against all of the European countries."  France faces thinly concealed and growing frustration from Paris' European partners, irked at President Nicolas Sarkozy's strident position towards EU spending limits and attacks on the ECB. via Raw Story
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Prime Minister Stephen Harper is calling on members of la Francophonie to play a key role in easing tensions around the world.Comment
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French President Jacques Chirac&#39;s views on the EU arms embargo against China have been a focus of a visit there as he cultivates new business opportunities.