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2003-08-17 Africa: North
Libya accuses France of blackmail
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Posted by Fred Pruitt 2003-08-17 16:21|| || Front Page|| [2 views since 2007-05-07]  Top

#1  I can understand what appears to be Grand Plan of France in creating a new superpower.It would be led by France,powered by German industry,fueled by North Sea oil,manned by cheap immigrant labor,financed by as wide a taxpayer base as possible(hence rapid expansion of EU),and given muscle by Russian military.

But,I have to call into question either competency of France's American analysts or judgement of French leadership.Why on earth did France continue to actively oppose US once Bush sent half of American military to Gulf?France had to know Bush woudn't let forces sit there forever;either Saddam left or it was war.So why did France keep vetoing at UN?She could have abstained while making fierce anti-US rants in press.Did France expect Bush to commit political suicide and back down?Did France seriously think a veto at UN would cause US to abandon any military-use policy if US thought its national security interests were at risk?What was France thinking-or was she?
Posted by Stephen 2003-8-17 5:25:43 PM||   2003-8-17 5:25:43 PM|| Front Page Top

#2 What was France thinking

Like this story shows, it's aaall business to them. In Iraq they stood to lose as they inevitably would have to share or give way to the US & friends. Hence their opposition to the war. Don't be tricked into thinking it was for some moral, "we're against wars (even though throughout the 19th century all we did was start them)" reason.
Posted by Raphael 2003-8-17 6:13:24 PM||   2003-8-17 6:13:24 PM|| Front Page Top

#3 Stephen: there are times I wonder if it was all a set-up, that France did it all at our request so that Saddam remained off balance to the last minute.

Mind you there are very few times I wonder that.
Posted by Steve White  2003-8-18 12:00:49 AM||   2003-8-18 12:00:49 AM|| Front Page Top

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