Posted on 09/16/2007 12:07:28 PM PDT by Sub-Driver
World should brace for possible war over Iran: France Sep 16 02:44 PM US/Eastern The world should brace for a possible war over the Iranian nuclear crisis but seeking a solution through talks should take priority, French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner said on Sunday.
"We have to prepare for the worst, and the worst is war," he said in an interview broadcast on French television and radio.
"We must negotiate right to the end," with Iran, he said, but underlined that if Tehran possessed an atomic weapon, it would represent "a real danger for the whole world."
"We are trying to put in place plans which are the privilege of chiefs of staff and that is not for tomorrow," he said, referring to military plans but stressed that although any attack on Iran was far from taking place, "It is normal for us to plan" for any eventuality.
Kouchner said France wanted the European Union to prepare sanctions against Iran, outside the ambit of the UN Security Council, to force Tehran to forsake its nuclear ambitions.
"We have decided that while negotiations are continuing ... to prepare eventual sanctions outside the ambit of UN sanctions. Our good friends, the Germans, suggested that," he said.
The foreign minister also said leading French companies such as Total and Gaz de France had been urged not to undertake new work or contracts in Iran.
Iran vehemently denies Western allegations it is seeking an atomic weapon, saying its nuclear drive is aimed at providing electricity for a growing population whose fossil fuels will one day run out.
The five permanent Security Council members -- Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States -- plus Germany are due to meet to discuss a new draft UN resolution on sanctions against Iran on September 21
(Excerpt) Read more at breitbart.com ...
True enough. My comments were more directed to the idea that Francy is loathe to involve it’s troops in these endeavors.
My only correction to what I said earlier, actually something I did not address, would be to take out any nuclear facilities we were aware of.
This begs the question of where the French would strike from. We have long range bombers, airfields in theater, and substantial Naval capability. The French have only a very limited naval capability.
Hey that is unfair! France has been training for this war for many months. As a matter of fact, top secret transing pictures have been smuggled out exposing the upcoming operation!
Coming from France, no less...
Well, yeah. But, after that...
(LOL)
The example would probably be enough to convince Syria that the gig was up. I might let rumours fly that a Syrian plan was on the operations table just days away from implementation and see if Assad would have a come to Religion moment. You know, sorta like KaDaffy Duck did.
That's the truth. Unfortunately, the Muslim world is the model for the old "whack a mole" game.
It is a shame what happened to the French stomach after WWI.
I hate to say it, but that is fitting. France needs to pull it’s collective head out and smell the winds of freedom blowing across the Middle-East. Even France could wind up helping the effort if they don’t over-think about it too much.
You make a good point. If Ahmadinejad is smart, he’ll be more worried about French ICBMs than French carriers, but a French air campaign is a major stretch.
Could we see Mirage fighters along F-15s and F-22s?
I believe you are ignorant of our capabilities.
No, I’m well aware of our military’s technological capabilities, however, we don’t have the numbers to fight a land war in three different nations, unless we either do a major realignment of our forces across the globe, or start a draft.
France could strike from US air bases throughout the theatre.
If it DID become necessary to insert ground troops...we could do so on a limited basis and could do so effectively.
All that said, we would NEVER ATTEMPT an occupation of Iran. We'd just "break" it.
I am braced for war but not sure I can handle the mad flurry of letter writing that is bound to happen instead.
My concern is that airstrikes would just give Iran a “legitimate” excuse to just blatantly mobilize its military elements in response. We’re not dealing with the most submissive people here. If we’re too aggressive, I fear it could just make things worse.
Europe and Japan and China get a very high percentage of their oil from the mid east, more then we do. They should understand the blackmail veil they will be under if Iran gets a nuke.
Are there any sane folks in Iran?
Are the military leaders there sane? Do they want all their toys destroyed? Why don’t they overthrow the mooselimb crazies take over and avoid the coming ass whoopin?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.