Posted on 08/19/2007 4:00:19 PM PDT by Cincinna
...Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner arrived in Baghdad on Sunday becoming the first senior French official to visit Iraq since the beginning of the US-led war in 2003 which France vigorously opposed. Kouchner's visit could be seen as a sign of warming relations between the US and the French government, under newly-elected President Nicolas Sarkozy.
"At the invitation of Mr. Jalal Talabani, president of Iraq, the foreign minister has just begun an official visit to Baghdad," the French Foreign Ministry said in a statement. "Bernard Kouchner is in Baghdad to express a French message of solidarity with the Iraqi people and to listen to the representatives of all communities."
Kouchner's schedule was unknown on Sunday for security reasons but he is expected to meet with representatives of all Iraq's different sects.
(Excerpt) Read more at dailystar.com.lb ...
- The French foreign minister arrived in Baghdad on groundbreaking visit Sunday after years of icy relations with U.S. over Iraq.
Bernard Kouchner's plane touched down at Baghdad International Airport at about 6 p.m. His arrival was announced simultaneously by French authorities in Paris.
In Paris the foreign ministry said, Kouchner was in "Iraq to express a message of solidarity from France to the Iraqi people and to listen to representatives from all communities."
The motives behind Kouchner's visit were not immediately clear. But merely stepping onto Iraqi soil was a major symbol of French President Nicolas Sarkozy's efforts to turn the page on The motives behind Kouchner's visit were not immediately clear. But merely stepping onto Iraqi soil was a major symbol of French President Nicolas Sarkozy's efforts to turn the page on any lingering U.S.-French animosities over the 2003 Iraq invasion.any lingering U.S.-French animosities over the 2003 Iraq invasion.
When France sends troops to Iraq or Afkanistan I will be impressed
fwiw...
Withmore than 1000 French troops on the ground and roughly 1500 airmen and sailors, France is actively involved in Afghanistan and is one of the major partners of the United States in that country. French contributions include troops deployed to the International Security Assistance Force (RCC Kabul; 1000 soldiers), training of the Afghan National Army (50 trainers), at sea (a CVN with 26 fighters Rafale and Super-Etendard, 2 Hawkeye aircraft , a frigate and a Maritime Patrol Aircraft), and in the air (6 fighters, 3 tankers, 2 transport aircraft, and 2 CSAR helicopters). Periodically, French fighter aircraft offer close air support to ISAF and OEF ground troops.
In the wake of the 9/11 tragedy, France offered its military resources and capabilities to support the American-led military campaign, Operation Enduring Freedom, in Afghanistan.
Air Force: Since October 21, 2001, French reconnaissance aircraft and air tankers have contributed to the air campaign over Afghanistan. In 2001, France was the only country, along with the United States, to have flown bombing missions over Afghanistan in direct support of American ground troops, in particular during Operation Anaconda.
France has now 3 Mirage 2000D fighter aircraft and 3 Rafale F2 fighter aircraft in Dushambe (Tajikistan), 3 C-135 tanker and 2 C-160 Transall transport aircraft in Manas (Kyrgystan), 2 EC-725 Caracal CSAR helicopters in Kabul.
France is also playing a significant role in training the Afghan national army with 50 special operation trainers , alongside the U.S. and the United Kingdom, having initially trained 3 Afghan battalions of 500 men each and being presently involved in the training of all Afghan officers.
Indian Ocean: CVN Charles de Gaulle carrier battle group has temporary been deployed in international waters off Pakistan, in support of ISAF and OEF in neighboring Afghanistan. Referred to as Task Force 473 ,from March to April 2007.
http://www.ambafrance-us.org/atoz/defense.asp
You should check your facts before bashing Sarko and France.
From the official French government website: (my translation into English)
With more than 1,900 troops, France is also a major US partner in Afghanistan providing troops and support to both the NATO International Security Assistance Force and the American-led Operation Enduring Freedom. In addition air deployments operates on regular basis from Dushanbe (nearly 600 airmen), and occasionally the French Carrier Group is deployed in the region (around 3000 sailors).
Thank you for posting the facts.
France, under Mitterand and Chirac has made serious errors, and had a harmful, poisonous anti-American attitude and policies.
Now that we have someone in the Elysee Palace who is America’s friend and ally, and has already given substantial proof, let’s at least give the guy a chance.
To turn around half a century of America bashing is a formidable task. We can only wish Sarkozy well in his efforts. He is the best friend America has had in Paris since the 18th century.
First I have read that
Thanks for the info
Am I right in noting that France, Canada and Germany have all moved to the right and to much more pro-American leaders than the ones in place earlier in President Bush’s term?
If so, it looks like the liberals are wrong once again in crowing about how Bush has alienated our allies. It looks like it was in fact their leftest elites that were responsible and that their citizenry didn’t like it too much.
No problem.
I think if you follow what is happening in France, you will be pleased and encouraged.
WHOUSE HAILS FRENCH FM’S IRAQ VISIT
- The White House on Sunday hailed French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner’s surprise visit to Iraq as a sign of mounting global efforts to stabilize that war-torn country.
“The United States welcomes the visit of French Foreign Minister Kouchner to Baghdad,” national security spokesman Gordon Johndroe said as US President George W. Bush spent time here on his Texas ranch.
“This is one more example, along with the new UN mandate, the neighbors conference process and recent announcements by Saudi Arabia to open an embassy and forgive Saddam era debt, of a growing international desire to help Iraq become a stable and secure country,” said Johndroe.
Kouchner’s visit was the first by a French minister since Paris opposed the US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003, the French Foreign Ministry said.
It comes a week after French President Nicolas Sarkozy met his US counterpart George W. Bush for informal talks, billed as a sign of warming ties, which had Iraq high on the agenda.
The Baghdad visit is the first by a French minister since Sarkozy’s predecessor Jacques Chirac spearheaded international opposition to the US-led war, putting a heavy strain on relations with Washington.
It would be politically impossible for France to anything more then what they are doing at the moment, wiht men on the ground (a buddy mentioned that they sunbathe in speedos in Afghanistan...constantly..)and some of their best and most modern assests assisting the War in Afghanistan France is a large a partner as Germany, yet they catch all the flak for not doing “enough”.
Folks, this is not a game, France is helping far more then hurting our efforts.
I think part of the problem is people have bought the MSM lie that “America is Alone in the world” and that is not true, the media is lying to you.
Excellent point.
The myth of Cowboy America going it alone has made its way into everyone’s consciousness.
Sending Kouchner to Iraq ( he actually supported the Iraq war) was a brave move, and a signal of openess to working with the US by Sarko.
Yes, you are right..but some refuse to see it as so...they want to believe the cowboy thing...
Actually “America Alone” or “America is now hated in the world” are liberal viewpoints, a way of disparaging American and President Bush.
And that constitutes the Big Lie, and I cannot stand it, we have many allies who are putting their own citizens in harms way in very tough environments.
The fact that so many FReepers are buying into that lie is a shock to me.
We have a weekly Polish Military pinglist that outlines what the Poles have been doing, and yet “America Alone”...
Uh..they elected him.
The present Canadian (conservative) government is to the right of many US republicans.
One, it became painfully obvious after the burning of Paris that there is a “problem” in France....two, the sociaists economic ideas are tanking and lastly, Sarko was up front and unashamed about being pro-American. Any questions?
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