Posted on 02/08/2008 9:03:57 PM PST by TigerLikesRooster
February 9, 2008
Nicolas Sarkozy offers French troops to join Canadians in fighting the Taleban in Kandahar
Michael Evans, Defence Editor
President Sarkozy rode to the rescue of beleaguered Nato forces in southern Afghanistan yesterday when he offered to deploy French troops alongside Canadians in Kandahar.
The French leader has been the most forthcoming of Nato leaders in answering the urgent call to help the troops fighting Taleban insurgents.
After Canada’s repeated warnings that it would pull its 2,500 troops out of Kandahar if no other alliance member came to support them, France has been the only country to hint at sending reinforcements.
French and Canadian officials are discussing the logistics of operating a combined force. A delegation was sent to Paris from Ottawa yesterday.
The move by the French was being seen as further evidence of President Sarkozy’s willingness to draw closer to the alliance, with the possibility of France rejoining Nato’s integrated military stucture, from which President de Gaulle withdrew in 1967.
Canada wants 1,000 extra soldiers to fight in Kandahar, but the indications so far are that Paris has a smaller-sized force in mind. A French diplomatic source said that decisions would not be made public until the Nato summit in Bucharest in April.
If France meets only a proportion of the required 1,000 extra troops, another Nato country will have to make an offer to ensure that Canada keeps its 2,500 soldiers in Kandahar. Canada has asked Poland to deploy troops but at the Nato defence ministers’ informal meeting in Vilnius yesterday, Bogdan Klich, the Polish minister, said there were no plans to send its 1,200 soldiers, based in eastern Afghanistan, to the south because of the increased risks. “This province doesn’t meet our baseline criteria, which hinge on reducing the risks to our contingent,” he told a Polish newspaper. However, Poland confirmed it would raise its troop numbers in Afghanistan to 1,600 later this year. Norway said it planned to send another 200 troops to add to its present 500.
British diplomatic sources said there were no obvious candidates yet for the appointment of UN special envoy to Afghanistan, after President Karzai’s rejection of Lord Ashdown of Norton-sub-Hamdon.
Its personal for me - my spite for Sarkozy.
Gurkhas might be a good fit for the job as well.
What would your spite for Sarkozy be?
I have to say, my opinion of France has improved quite measurably since President Sarkozy came to office. Lets just hope his will is a strong as his words.
Cost my investment a lot of short term damage. I take that very personally. And proves to me that “right wing” in Europe does NOT mean conservative.
Poland is sending combat troops too - May this continue = our troops have been under numbered for too long, waiting for NATO to fulfill their commitment - In addition, I hope Rice got a good look, it seems she did - and we’ll finally get the job done
I agree. Sure beats the hell out of the other leaders France has elected for many many years. I doubt if anyone really wants to tangle with the Foreign Legion. What bothers me is Hungary’s position. Seems like they want their troops in safe areas? Why are no other NATO countries willing to contribute troops?
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“Maybe he should start by sending troops to Paris. You know, for practice.”
No kidding. I think a nice ass kicking to a couple of “youts” or a couple of them shot down in the streets might callm them down just a bit. Actually, why not all of them, you torch a car, you get shot.
This is great news. Thanks for posting it !
I hope the French Military and the Legion go out there and wipe out those jihad bastards like the the plague. Ill cheer them on, but next time I shiver in the cold I'll still say that Im shaking like a French soldier, then laugh at my own joke. Its how I roll.
You might want to tell that to the Paratroopers of the 173rd up in north eastern Province of Kunar - who have been in over 1,000 firefights and suffering a KIA/wounded rate of 1 in 4. They'd be relieved to know they're in a safe zone....
Just because the media and the politicians ignore what's going on in "Taliban Central", doesn't mean it isn't happening.
That said, the Polish unit will stick together, so likely won't go to the Kunar - but there's a lot more fighting in Afghanistan than you hear in the American news...
Well to each his own.
I would be careful where you tell the joke tho - anyone that sits in the corner of the bar, has a very deep tan and looks like 5 miles of bad road just might be a former Legionare.....
They would indeed, but they are part of the British Army and the Brits need them in Helmand province which is also a hot theatre in the south and is a Brit responsibility.
Generally you are right. But if it is Legion I as a bad guy would be somewhat concerned.
Me too, they work, train, and fight hard. I was only making a joke, and didnt go over well. . oh well... C'est la vie
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