Quote:
Originally Posted by Adux
Sorry for butting in gentlemen,
How much of french desire not to be second fiddle to USA or anyother plays here?
|
Second fiddle to USA ? In the context of Bush Junior's administration and the "love declarations" after the Iraq invasion ? With the other US presidents it wasn't always quiet, but with this one...
For the Afghanistan-specific context and old-European point of view, good explanation of Dave Angel.
Quote:
Originally Posted by S-2
Also, its nice to see that France is finally willing to put the great flame war over Iraq behind them.
Have they? I'm unsure.
|
+1
Quote:
Originally Posted by S-2
I suspect that the quid pro quo on a 1,000+ additional troops might be quite high to NATO in the long run.
France has been intentionally vague. Says Sarkozy-
|
Let's see the details. (Dealing with politicians : always look the details or you'll be *** . Devil hides in the details.)
Before autumn french troops will be increased with :
700 soldiers of the NATO Strategic Reserve - paratroopers or moutain troops.
+ 300 soldiers and officers to relay the Turkish army in Kabul (Regional Command Capital)
+ 80 soldiers of the Foreign Legion to form an OMLT in the Dutch sector (Oruzgan)
= 1000+ new emergency reinforcements to help Canadians.
Really ?
Where hides the Devil, do you ask ?
- The RCC relay was planified since a long time. The rotation is between France, Italy, and Turkey and that's the second time for France.
Global effect : French RCC - Turkish RCC = 0
- The creation of French OMLT n°6 (I think it will be the 6th) was announced in november. Can be considered as a reinforcement, but not really new.
Before Sarkozy election, 2 french OMLT were in Afghanistan, that makes +4 if my informations are correct, but "new emergency reinforcements to help Canadians" are only 700 soldiers, in fact. 700 rather good soldiers, I think, but not the number trumpeted by Sarko. (I'm not surprised...)
Sorry for the Canadians...