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Syria-Lebanon-Iran
Frenchies Throws U.N Peacekeeping Plans Into Disarray
2006-08-18
France has rebuffed U.N. pleas to make a major contribution to a peacekeeping mission in southern Lebanon, setting back international efforts to send a credible military force to the region to police a cease-fire between Israel and Hezbollah, according to U.N. and French officials. French President Jacques Chirac instead committed Thursday to send a relatively small military engineering company of 200 soldiers to serve in a reinforced U.N. peacekeeping mission that is expected to grow to 15,000 strong and that will help Lebanon police a demilitarized zone in southern Lebanon. He also said that a force of 1,700 French troops and crew stationed in ships off the coast of Lebanon could be sent in to help the U.N. force during a crisis.

“Chirac instead committed Thursday to send a relatively small military engineering company of 200 soldiers to serve in a reinforced U.N. peacekeeping mission...”
The French decision, which was first reported today in the Paris daily Le Monde, has thrown U.N. military planning into disarray on the eve of a major international meeting this afternoon of potential contributors to a U.N. force. It also seriously complicates U.N. efforts to get a vanguard force of peacekeepers from powerful European countries within the next two weeks. Senior U.N. peacekeeping officials said they had hoped that a commitment to have French troops form the "backbone" of the U.N. peacekeeping mission would spur other countries to join.

“He said that France would only double its contribution to the U.N. force, which is headed by a French general, and hoped to continue commanding the mission.”
U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan called Chirac today to see if he would change his mind. Following the meeting, Chirac's office released a statement indicating he had not yielded. He said that France would only double its contribution to the U.N. force, which is headed by a French general, and hoped to continue commanding the mission.
If Kofi asks them nice, perhaps Israel will contribute a hefty peacekeeping force. But I think they'd want their general in charge. And they might not do it until Netanyahu's taken over from Olmert.
Posted by:Fred

#10  It's a French thing. We just can't understand.
Posted by: 3dc   2006-08-18 23:09  

#9  The French decision, which was first reported today in the Paris daily Le Monde, has thrown U.N. military planning into disarray on the eve of a major international meeting this afternoon of potential contributors to a U.N. force.

Military planning on the eve of some UN meeting to discuss POTENTIAL contributors? Man, Rove and Bolton are even better than I thought. This one's dead in the water (as UN style is wont to do). Maybe Israel will get the green light again and soon to finish what the Hezzies started.
Posted by: BA   2006-08-18 14:44  

#8  But I send 200 of my finest pastry makers, 500 students from the "advanced school of Mime" and assorted cheese and wine makers.
In addition, as soon as they come back from their 6 week summer vacation, I will send French government officials, known for their proficiency and report writing skills.
Posted by: Jacques   2006-08-18 11:32  

#7  NS, hell no on sending any of our troops there!

Let Kofi & Co. "fix" this problem. They insisted on a ceasefire to protect the Hezbullies, let them put their blood and treasure on the line to save their sorry asses.
Posted by: Swamp Blondie   2006-08-18 10:49  

#6  If they only send 200, why do they think there will be a French general in charge? The UN needs to send in 15,000 troops. We should volunteer a Marine Division, commander included. They could clean things up pretty quickly and eliminate the need for any other country to contribute.
Posted by: Nimble Spemble   2006-08-18 10:15  

#5  a core of very good infantry

Yes, I've met some of their young officers and they're quite good.
Posted by: lotp   2006-08-18 09:52  

#4  OK, Jacques, how about lending an aircraft carrier instead? LOL...
Posted by: Raj   2006-08-18 08:56  

#3  France changes its mind? Israel should change its mind.
Posted by: PlanetDan   2006-08-18 05:36  

#2  If french army is as bankrupt and broken than I understand it is, it's probably safe NOT to expect a significant force to be sent.
During GWI, IIRC, 10 000 men was all that cold war french army could afford, and it's gone downhill real bad since then. All that's left is a core of very good infantry meant to be used as a "colonial force" in Africa... and it's already deployed outside France (13 000), and I don't think shiraq will deplete the ivory coast troop to uphold his word.

2006 France can talk the (gaullist Grandeur) talk, but it sure can't walk the walk.
Posted by: anonymous5089   2006-08-18 03:15  

#1  It was the use of the words 'French' and 'backbone' in the same sentence that caused the 'disarray.' It really was an allergic reaction to the suggestion of the French having a backbone.....
Posted by: USN,Ret   2006-08-18 00:36  

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