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Europe |
No more US unilateralism in Afghanistan: France |
2009-03-04 |
PARIS: The new French special envoy to Afghanistan, Pierre Lellouche, said in an interview published Wednesday that NATO allies fighting on Afghan soil must not revert to the unilateral approach taken by former US president George W. Bush. "It is normal that we act as co-pilots in the international strategy in Afghanistan," Lellouche told the daily Le Monde. "We must not again fall into the American unilateral excesses of the Bush administration, which provoked a deep gulf between the United States and its NATO allies. Lellouche said Paris would "test" the dialogue proposed by President Barack Obama. "Let us hope that it works. The stakes are too great," he said, and added: "We will not stay in Afghanistan indefinitely." French officials have repeatedly declared that they had no intention of deploying more soldiers to Afghanistan. France currently has some 3,300 troops there, including military instructors. And yet they want to be 'co-pilots' ... However, Obama has said he intends to increase the US troop strength in Afghanistan, and has frequently asked NATO members to provide more soldiers as well. Lellouche said that the conflict in Afghanistan was a war, and not an "international police operation", as French Defence Minister Herve Morin described it last autumn. "The proof is that France spends nearly 200 million euros ($250 million) a year on its army in that country," while spending only 11 million euros on civilian aid, he said. |
Posted by:GolfBravoUSMC |
#10 #8 Correction, bgrebel - the French "leaders"/gummint are utterly worthless. Not all of the French are. Not all? Damning with faint praise, Barbara? |
Posted by: Mizzou Mafia 2009-03-04 23:19 |
#9 The french routinely forget who's side they are on. Au contraire. The French always know whose side they're on. |
Posted by: Pappy 2009-03-04 22:07 |
#8 Correction, bgrebel - the French "leaders"/gummint are utterly worthless. Not all of the French are. |
Posted by: Barbara Skolaut 2009-03-04 21:01 |
#7 Typical.. the French are utterly worthless |
Posted by: bgrebel 2009-03-04 20:53 |
#6 Could anyone explain what value NATO has today? Any organization that does not include France is better for it. |
Posted by: balthazar 2009-03-04 19:04 |
#5 unilateral means literaly "one sided" The french routinely forget who's side they are on. |
Posted by: flash91 2009-03-04 18:45 |
#4 If the plane is in Afghanistan, and the French are note, how can they be the co-pilot? Or is this French logic of the ethereal order? |
Posted by: Halliburton - Mysterious Conspiracy Division 2009-03-04 18:17 |
#3 The term co-pilot would seem to have one believe that the pilot and co-pilot are equal. The fact is the co-pilot is subserviant to the Pilot. Deal with it, Pierre. |
Posted by: Deacon Blues 2009-03-04 17:56 |
#2 You can add this to the list of reasons (ie causes) why we will fail in Afghanistan. |
Posted by: phil_b 2009-03-04 16:17 |
#1 Have another glass of wine, Pierre. When you sober up and earn the position of copilot, then we'll talk. Better to just sleep off your fantasies for now. Nightie night! |
Posted by: Richard of Oregon 2009-03-04 14:58 |