French Weapons

No this is not another post about the EU arms sales to China. In their panic to sell the constitution to the French public, politicians are making statements which will be incredible weapons for the No side anywhere else. We may never get the chance to use them, but imagine a referendum campaign in the UK with these little quotes up our sleeves.

• "[The EU Constitution] embodies the French vision of Europe. A 'yes' vote will reinforce the French model in Europe, a 'no' vote will weaken it." Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin (AP, 29 and 30 March)
• "We have finally obtained this 'Europe à la française' that we have awaited for so long. This constitutional treaty is an enlarged France. It is a Europe written in French. " Justice Minister Dominique Perben (Times and AFP, 4 April)
• "A 'no' vote is an open door to an Anglo-Saxon Europe. A 'yes' vote is the advent of a Europe à la francaise! The constitutional treaty is inspired by our model. " Minister for Transport and Tourism Giles de Robien (Le Figaro, 6 April)
• "To vote 'yes' is to show one's attachment to the French model and one's refusal of the Anglo-Saxon or Polish model." Budget Minister and government spokesperson Jean-François Cope (Le Monde, 30 March)
• "The European Constitution consecrates the French vision of Europe. This Constitution marks the coming of the "political Europe" that France has always wanted." Europe Minister Claudie Haignere (Le Figaro, 6 April)
• "This treaty carries the French hallmark. [it has] all the elements to allow us to defend, in the years to come, our vision of society, our vision of Europe." Interior Minister Dominique de Villepin (Nouvel Observateur, 22 March)
• "This Constitution allows the French ambition to assert itself in the big Europe that General de Gaulle hoped and prayed for." Education Minister François Fillon (Le Figaro, 7 April)
• "Saying 'no' to the treaty today would be saying 'no' to French Europe, and therefore, in a way, saying 'yes' to a Europe that we don't like - to an ultraliberal Europe." Education Minister François Fillon (AP, 25 March)

And my own personal favourite:

• "This treaty is everything except a liberal treaty." Employment Minister Jean-Louis Borloo (Le Figaro, 31 March)

What was it Our Dear Leader said about us winning the argument in Europe.