Posted on 03/22/2007 5:07:52 PM PDT by bnelson44
DEBKAfile Exclusive: The French nuclear carrier Charles de Gaulle and its task force enter Arabian Sea. Iran launches a new naval war game
They rendezvoused with the USS John C. Stennis Wed. March 21, for missions in support of Operation Enduring, Freedom and International Security Assistance Forces ISAF for the global war on terror. US and French carriers are sailing and operating in concert opposite Iranian shores for the first time. The Iranian Navy responded to the new arrival the following day by announcing a new series of military exercise in the Persian Gulf.
DEBKAfile’s military sources disclose that the American-French rendezvous was timed to coincide with the UN Security Council session Wednesday to debate expanded sanctions against Iran for continuing its banned uranium enrichment program.
The Iranians were bowled over by the appearance of the Charles de Gaulle opposite their southern coast, having assumed that Paris took issue with Washington’s tough stand on their nuclear activities and was seeking improved relations with Tehran.
(Excerpt) Read more at debka.com ...
Did it lose it's Props Yet ????
Interesting ping
If you want on or off the list, go to the link for instructions. Otherwise, it won't be guaranteed that you will be put on or taken off (it still won't be 100% guaranteed, anyway, but will be much more highly probable).
Somewhere pigs are flying.
It flies the white flag, and travels only in reverse???
This form Hot Air will put it in some broader context:
http://hotair.com/archives/2007/03/22/big-news-us-arrests-leader-of-breakaway-mahdi-army-faction-for-karbala-raid/
Just don't let them get behind any of our ships.
What in the world for?
To defend Iran?
DEBKA saying theyve spotted the Charels de Gaul anywhere is like the Weekly World News' latest sighting of Batboy!
Code Named: Bottom Feeders
Its french, not Greek! ;^)
Are they surrendering yet? (The bowled over Iranians that is).
All this might have to do with Afghanistan:
USS JOHN C. STENNIS, At Sea (NNS) -- Senior leaders from the French Navy Ship (FNS) Charles de Gaulle (R 91) arrived aboard USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) March 16 to establish a foundation for further professional interaction and combined operations between the two navies. v Commander Task Force 473 French Rear Adm. Xavier Magne and 15 other French officers from Charles de Gaulle met with their John C. Stennis counterparts for lunch, a tour of the ship, and an opportunity to discuss integration and interoperability between the two carrier groups.
“We are proud that we will have the opportunity to serve side by side with the French navy,” said Commander, Carrier Strike Group (CCSG) 3 Rear Adm. Kevin Quinn.
Charles de Gaulle, the first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier built outside the United States, arrived in the North Arabian Sea March 14 with its carrier task force and is conducting missions in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and International Security Assistance Forces (ISAF).
"This is an important day, because it represents our cooperative operations in support of coalition efforts in Afghanistan," said Quinn.
French Task Force 473 consists of Charles de Gaulle, flagship of the French navy, FNS Cassard (D 614), FNS Tourville (D 610), FNS Dupleix (D 641) and FNS Marne (A 630).
http://www.emilitary.org/article.php?aid=10227
LOL. The day pigs actually fly, DEBKA will miss the whole thing and 'break' a story that an observer in Fujian province reports that all pigs have disappeared from the ground, and have contracted some type of invisibility causing strain of avian flu.
Later, to cover their mistake, they will explain that the invisibility flu mutated them into flying pigs.
I hear Iranian laughter.
Yes, we might have to tow it!
Target practice?
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