Posted on 07/27/2006 3:47:11 PM PDT by Republicain
Whereas Jacques Chirac rejects a NATO participation in Lebanon, the Secretary General of the Alliance, in Brussels, says he "is not ruling out anything at this stage." The allied ambassadors indeed mentioned the situation in the Middle East on 26 July at a meeting at Alliance headquarters in Brussels, but the role NATO could play in the future intervention force in southern Lebanon was not discussed. "We have to wait for the UN mandate next week to see what mission is involved," a NATO official explains. "But it is clear that it is a risky operation, in a very volatile environment, that will require robust planning capabilities," the organization's spokesperson stated.
While aware that a NATO flag would be ill-advised in the region, Javier Solana, the head of European diplomacy, does not rule out the use of NATO "resources," notably American intelligence and communication tools.
The UN Security Council must draft a resolution defining this force's mandate, early next week in New York. Wishing to play a leading role in this crisis, France is counting on exerting maximum weight on the diplomatic process upstream. According to Jacques Chirac, the future force "will not be charged with disarming Hezbollah," a delicate job that will be entrusted to the Lebanese government. This French position seems to be at odds with that mentioned by the Israelis and Americans, who favour a "forceful" mission to neutralize southern Lebanon. "Nothing says the force's mission will not evolve over time," Brussels sources note.
A role as "framework nation" for France
Called on to furnish the bulk of the future force's troops, whatever its packaging, the European foreign ministers have convened an extraordinary meeting on 1 August in Brussels. Several EU countries have already expressed their willingness to intervene militarily, but their goodwill will depend on the force's mandate. Greece, Italy and Turkey are also lined up. On the other side of the Atlantic, Canada has ruled out participating. In proposing a resolution under Chapter VII of the UN Charter, France is hoping to lure the Arab countries, notably Egypt.
According to the consultations under way between capitals, the future force would be led from Paris, with France being prepared to play the role of "framework nation." The use of the EU staff headquarters, directed in Brussels by General Jean-Paul Perruche, would not be part of the plan. "We are not aiming towards a European defence operation (ESDP), but towards an international coalition led militarily by France, with a UN mandate," a European diplomat confides. The EU already has much to do militarily in Bosnia and in DRCongo where its election monitoring mission is starting. And it is willing to pass the baton to France, which it considers the best-positioned to manage an intervention in Lebanon.
It's not Paris Hilton...
Rut rohhhhh. Tell the Lebanese men to lock up their women or get them a lot of pepper spray if the French are coming. Just ask the women in the Congo about the rape happy French soldiers. And by all means, don't demonstrate against French forces. You'll be shot dead in the streets, again harkening back to recent French actions in the Congo. Funny how that never got any US or even European media play, not like Abu Ghirab or Haditha did.
Nice frog but where's the baguette and the bottle of red wine ?
The "whine corkscrew" is useless ! All the french soldiers are muslim now !
...Bawhahhahaha..this is the funniest thing I've ever heard! Bawhahahha...WHAT? Lead the intervention with a surrendering WHITE FLAG?! Toooo funny!
Yes, much better ! That's exactly my portrait, except that I don't smoke
According to Jacques Chirac, the future force "will not be charged with disarming Hezbollah," a delicate job that will be entrusted to the Lebanese government.
But the "Morbier" cheese seems pretty appetizing...
It seems a little ironic that Condi Rice was accused of "buying time for the Israelis." By the time this bunch of old women is through planning, dithering, developing a consensus, securing UN mandates, and coming up with troops, weapons, and funding, the current generation of combatants will be throwing their false teeth at one another in rest homes.
as predicted by Bert last week.
It is pre ordained in my view..
Hezballah killed 58 French peacekeepers in Lebanon, 1983.
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