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Syria-Lebanon-Iran
Sarkozy rejects military action against Iran
2007-04-03
French presidential frontrunner Nicolas Sarkozy has said military action against Iran would not help resolve the Tehran-London standoff over the detention of British soldiers who entered Iranian waters illegally. "I do not think that a strike on Iran would help in the least bit a situation that is already very complex and very dangerous," Sarkozy told a news conference in Paris.

Iran says the British servicemen were seized as they were illegally trespassing in its territorial waters. Britain, however; claims they were on a routine anti-smuggling patrol in Iraqi waters. On Monday, Tehran declared that all 15 detainees had confessed to the wrongdoing on videotape. Meanwhile, an Iranian television station showed the remaining naval staff as they were reporting the details of the incident which led to their arrest. Iran said footage of the "confessions" would not be broadcast any longer, following positive changes in Britain's negotiating stance.
Posted by:Fred

#7  JFM,
How much of this is due to Sarkozy trying to slip-slide his way into the Presidency?

Al
Posted by: Frozen Al   2007-04-03 17:50  

#6  Damn. This means we will have to bring own own accordions.
Posted by: Excalibur   2007-04-03 10:20  

#5  Let's add the Marne, Verdun, Bir Hachim, Monte Cassino.

Oh, and La Motte Picquette sank half the Thai navy in an afternoon.

Now, if you want to talk about the government's tradition of cowardice and defeatism...

But to get back on point, this matter is none of Sarkozy's, or France's business, unless you mean their business with Iran.
Posted by: Jackal   2007-04-03 08:11  

#4  folloving the long tradition of French military victories.

from the top of my head: Fleurus, Austerlitz, Wagram, Fontenoy, forcing Washington to surrender, Jemmappes, Montmirail, Auerstadt. Tradition of defeats begins only in 1870 but this causes are n no small part due to the "software" installed by Napoleon (eg recruitment of officers and civilian leaders).
Posted by: JFM   2007-04-03 04:53  

#3  Right, none of his biz, unless he talked about French Military, folloving the long tradition of French military victories.
Posted by: twobyfour   2007-04-03 03:15  

#2  Sark is an OK guy - esp. by French standards - but of course this is silly. The situation is "complex"? He doesn't believe it, but that sincere belief by so many about all these situations is the main reason that so many contemporary situations featuring the greatest power mismatches in history are not resolved quickly or sometimes at all .....
Posted by: Verlaine   2007-04-03 00:56  

#1  And how is it his biz?
Posted by: 3dc   2007-04-03 00:42  

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