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| Europe |
| French Carrier Enters E. Mediterranean |
| 2003-02-04 |
| France's nuclear-powered aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle left its home port of Toulon on Tuesday for a three-week exercise in the eastern Mediterranean, the French Defense Ministry said. The Defense Ministry said the maneuver was planned a long time ago and is not related to the "international situation," a reference to tensions over Iraq and threats of war by the United States and Britain. The 43,000-ton warship, which carries 40 aircraft, is scheduled to return to Toulon at the end of the training exercise on Feb. 25. French officials said the operation will include a joint exercise with the USS Harry Truman, which left port in December for deployment in the Mediterranean Sea and the Persian Gulf. OK, what's the over/under on how long before she breaks down again? |
| Posted by:Steve |
| #4 What do you think the French military thinks about Chirac's position? I've heard that the French military has worked to undermine the Americans before but I also imagine that the military rank and file might be more hawkish than the average Jacques. |
| Posted by: Anonymous 2003-02-04 21:54:35 |
| #3 old diplomatic phrase:"watch the hands, not the mouth". It's magic! |
| Posted by: john 2003-02-04 12:00:13 |
| #2 Just this morning Chriac is saying that france will not change its position on Iraq, so what gives? Why do a 'joint exercise' if youre just gonna sit on the sidelines and pout all the time. Is their role in the exercise to act as a target tug for the Truman? |
| Posted by: Frank Martin 2003-02-04 11:02:58 |
| #1 I'll take breakdown by February 14, cause I'm a romantic.
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| Posted by: Chuck 2003-02-04 09:19:36 |