French NGOs refuse army orders in Iraq

Expatica ^ | April 10 , 2003 | ©AFP

[Risa]

PARIS, April 10 (AFP) - French aid agencies have teams in Baghdad and convoys waiting at the borders for the go-ahead to move into Iraq, but are refusing to take orders from US and British troops.

All the major French aid agencies have refused to be placed under the direct responsibility of the centre for humanitarian operations set up by Washington to coordinate the distribution of vital relief aid to Iraqi civilians.

They have also refused to be "embedded" with US and British troops, alongside reporters covering the war and are insisting on conducting operations with strict impartiality.

"Humanitarian aid cannot be viewed as a weapon for achieving military goals," five France-based aid agencies said in a joint statement last week.

"It is not the after-sales service for the war," said the statement signed by Action contre la Faim, Enfants du Monde/Droits de l'Homme, Handicap International, Medecins du Monde, Premiere Urgence amd Solidarites.

Action contre la Faim (ACF or Action against Hunger), which has staff and supplies waiting at the Iraqi border, insisted aid deliveries had to be kept completely separate from military operations.

"If the military are there to provide security, they'll be fulfilling their role. But if they tell us who to give aid to, when and how, then there is no question of us working with them," an ACF official told AFP.

Several aid agencies operating out of Baghdad stressed that the US military should rapidly be focusing its efforts on reestablishing law and order.

Baghdad's hospitals have become a target for the widespread looting in the capital, much to the alarm of two medical aid agencies operating there, Aide Medicale Internationale (AMI) and Premiere Urgence.

AMI said only one of the capital's hospitals, the Saddam Centre for Plastic Surgery, was currently under US military protection.

"Rather than pull down statues for the television cameras, the US military would do better to provide security for Baghdad's hospitals," said one French aid worker on condition of anonymity.

©AFP

[The Hon. Galahad Threepwood]

So, French "aid workers" are starving Iraqis in a fit of Gallic self-importance.

Anyone think the media will play it that way? Anyone? Anyone?

[BenLurkin]

Oh, the French have landed and the situation is under control!

[Support Free Republic]

We Replaced Patrick Leahy's Brains With Folger's Crystals. Let's See If Anyone Notices!
	Donate Here By Secure Server Or mail checks to FreeRepublic , LLC PO BOX 9771 FRESNO, CA 93794 or you can use PayPal at Jimrob@psnw.com
STOP BY AND BUMP THE FUNDRAISER THREAD- It is in the breaking news sidebar!

[ThreePuttinDude]

Hey France

SHUT-UP

[Republic]

So, French "aid workers" are starving Iraqis in a fit of Gallic self-importance.

These aren't humanitarian workers, these are agenda driven egomanics who can't wait to get a little attention. They care not for starving people.

[Bonaparte]

The minute any of them cross the border they should be arrested. The fact is, we don't need them and neither do the Iraqis.

[wretchard]

The Iraqi civil authority, now being organized by the US, will tell these French "humanitarian" agencies where and when to go. If they refuse, the Iraqi civil authority will revoke their visas and these agencies can return to Metropolitan France.

[RightWhale]

Close the borders and keep them closed as long as bombers and snipers are coming in. Unauthorized NGOs can be kept out by force if necessary, and arrested if they persist.

[_Jim]

French aid agencies have teams in Baghdad

At this point?

How?

What routes did they take in?

[solo gringo]

The french are a hard headed bunch and don't want to play by the rules.We will have to rescue if they screw up and get in trouble.I would tell them play by the rules or go back to france and don't put our people in harms way.

[Clive]

More French mischief-making.

Watch to whom they scream for help when they get into trouble.

[Congressman Billybob]

Phuque the Phrench. Does anything else need to be said?

Congressman Billybob

Latest column, now up on UPI, and FR, "I Believe" (1957-2003)

Latest book(let), "to Restore Trust in America."

[snopercod]

I'd give them a little official-looking card to hold up when they approached any American checkpoint.

"Just hold up this card and pass right on through and you won't be harmed...

[antaresequity]

They should just unload their trucks and tell them to stuff it.

[Centurion2000]

PARIS, April 10 (AFP) - French aid agencies have teams in Baghdad and convoys waiting at the borders for the go-ahead to move into Iraq, but are refusing to take orders from US and British troops.

So GO HOME you frenchy stinki scumbags.

[Servant of the Nine]

French Aid Agencies cannot be trusted not to support, hide or sneak out of the country their Baathist friends.
No way can they be allowed entry if not under close and strict US or Brit scrutiny.

So9

[MCH]

[William Terrell]

But if they tell us who to give aid to, when and how, then there is no question of us working with them," an ACF official told AFP.

And watch while we truck around, loading French evidence of collusion with Saddam and sneaking it out of the country.