France to withdraw Afghan forces

Herald Sun ^ | 16 October 2006

[Aussie Dasher]

FRANCE is to withdraw the 200 members of its special forces deployed in Afghanistan, it was reported overnight.

Both the office of President Jacques Chirac and the French defence ministry declined to confirm or deny the report which said a decision had already been taken by Mr Chirac as commander of French armed forces.

"Nothing has been decided," said a defence ministry spokesman. "We are in a process of re-examining the situation in Afghanistan."

He said the current evaluation process in Paris covered all French contributions to the 37-nation NATO-led security force and the division of labour between securing territory and the training and consolidation of the Afghan army.

However, an authoritative source said the withdrawal option was currently being studied. The president's office declined any comment.

The French contingent, primarily engaged in anti-terrorist operations, has lost six men since operations began in July 2003.

[Aussie Dasher]

"White flags at the ready!!! B-a-c-k-w-a-r-d-s, MARCH!!!!

Screw the Frogs!!!

[goldstategop]

The nation John Kerry most admires.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." -Manuel II

[kingu]

Actually, NATO needs to take action against member nations that refuse to honor treaty commitments. If NATO has committed to a mission in Afghanistan, NATO members are compelled to participate. If they fail in their commitment, NATO needs to make sure there are reprocussions.

So, yes, the Frogs need to be screwed, by NATO, over this. Want to stay as part of NATO, then live up to your mission. If you don't, fine, NATO doesn't need you either. French nukes are not enough to tip the scales.

[A. Pole]

"White flags at the ready!!! B-a-c-k-w-a-r-d-s, MARCH!!!! Screw the Frogs!!!

There were fighting there for several years. Did you give them any credit for that?

[A. Pole]

Actually, NATO needs to take action against member nations that refuse to honor treaty commitments. If NATO has committed to a mission in Afghanistan, NATO members are compelled to participate. If they fail in their commitment, NATO needs to make sure there are repercussions.

The operations outside of NATO area are not obligatory. France was one of the few countries that contributed troops.

And what repercussion do you have in mind? Kicking out France from NATO? Denying France nuclear power?

[Brad from Tennessee]

If they're not going to use these guys in Afghanistan maybe they can turn them loose on the mohammedan problem in France.

[mass55th]

Who will they get to clean the latrines?

[ANGGAPO]

Destined for the White Feather award no doubt.

[fight_truth_decay]

Sarkozy Favored In French Elections


Opening moves in the 2007 French presidential race suggest that there will be two leading candidates, Segolene Royal for the Socialist Party and Nicolas Sarkozy from the ruling UMP party, with a victory most likely for Sarkozy on a conservative reform program.

CUT

Sarkozy this month visited the U.S. and called for a political "rapprochement."

On the basis of current polls, the two front-runners are likely to be Royal and Sarkozy, with Sarkozy the favorite. He is set to be the first president in more than 30 years to be elected on a program of right-wing reforms and to have clear pro-U.S. foreign policy leanings.

http://www.forbes.com/business/2006/09/27/france-elections-sarkozy-biz-cx_0928oxford.html

[george76]

[kingu]

And what repercussion do you have in mind? Kicking out France from NATO?

Sounds like a good idea. French officials would do whatever is possible to retain membership; the absence of France from any international organization would harm their national psyche more than it would harm the organization.

[A. Pole]

If they're not going to use these guys in Afghanistan maybe they can turn them loose on the mohammedan problem in France.

French troops are in several countries like Bosnia, Serbian Kosovo, Ivory Coast, Congo, Djibouti, Chad, Lebanon and more. And France has much smaller military than USA.

[RichInOC]

France to withdraw Afghan forces

...gee, after six whole deaths in three years. Color me completely underwhelmed. They could probably have kept them confined to base for three years and lost more than two troops a year. Thanks for absolutely nothing.

[Solamente]

[ChristianDefender]

[Ignatz]

France surrenders? Who'd a thunk it!?!

[Rembrandt]

Have the Frogs announced withdrawal of their peach-keeping forces from Lebanon yet or did they ever send the forces in the first place?

[GonzoGOP]

"Have the Frogs announced withdrawal of their peacekeeping forces from Lebanon yet or did they ever send the forces in the first place?"

Actually the French are now using Computer Generated virtual troops that are just as combat effective as a real French army. In addition they are much cheaper to deploy that traditional French solders, since you don't have to keep sending shipments of wine & cheese. Finally being computer created the can surrender at the speed of light.

[Rembrandt]

"Have the Frogs announced withdrawal of their peacekeeping forces from Lebanon yet or did they ever send the forces in the first place?"
~~~~
'Actually the French are now using Computer Generated virtual troops that are just as combat effective as a real French army. In addition they are much cheaper to deploy that traditional French solders, since you don't have to keep sending shipments of wine & cheese. Finally being computer created the can surrender at the speed of light.'
~~~
I like it. When they get tired of the "game," they just hit "Escape!" Perfect for the Fwogs.

[Ciexyz]

Six hommes. Six men. That's the figure that causes the French to run from the battlefield.