France defends sending 200 troops [Frogs Alert]

CNN ^ | 8/18/06 | CNN

[freedom44]

PARIS, France (AP) -- French Defense Minister Michele Alliot-Marie on Friday defended France's decision to send just 200 additional troops to reinforce the U.N. peacekeeping force in Lebanon and reiterated that the force needs a clear mandate to operate effectively.

"I can't let it be said or implied that France is not doing its duty in the Lebanese crisis," the minister told French radio RTL in an interview.

"Since the start of the crisis, France is on the frontline and it is the top contributor."

France announced on Thursday it was doubling its contingent to 400 troops. It currently leads the UNIFIL force in southern Lebanon, and its decision-making on its role in a strengthened force has been closely watched.

[Perdogg]

So the UN plans to surrender?

[Extremely Extreme Extremist]

Before the obligatory France bashing commences, let me remind you that these troops are from the world-renowned French Foreign Legion, who are more than capable of holding their own.

[freedom44]

Yeah they have invisible firebreathing troops i'm sure.

[Brad from Tennessee]

Hopefully, they will be rapidly reinforced if Hezbollah fires at them.

[mdittmar]

How many french troops does it take to raise a white flag?

200,Ha!

That was totally uncalled for and I apologize to any who took offense.;)

[doug from upland]

200 French troops? That's like sending 2 U.S. Marines.

[Prost1]

Something happened to that great Warrior people - the Franks, who protected Europe and conquered the Holy Land, when the name changed to French...

[freedom44]

Don't insult the Marines. :)

[GeronL]

400 whole troops? 400??

lol

Why such a huge force? What are they civil engineers? Street sweeping battallion?

[GeronL]

It says they've doubled the number to 400

[LiberalBassTurds]

That's a very touching photo on your homepage. Thanks for posting it.

LBT
-=-=-

[GeronL]

"I can't let it be said or implied that France is not doing its duty in the Lebanese crisis," the minister told French radio RTL in an interview

Look lady... you guys are a joke

[GeronL]

"Since the start of the crisis, France is on the frontline and it is the top contributor."

They haven't even gotten there yet

[phoenix0468]

How many U.N. peacekeepers does it take to disarm by virtue of a resolution?

No one knows, it hasn't been done.

[DuxFan4ever]

Can someone explain to me why we brokered a ceasefire with these clowns as partners?

[sheik yerbouty]

That is because they are foreign..

[operation clinton cleanup]

If they decided to withdraw 400 troops, that might be a positive development.

[Digger]

What's wrong with us for electing people that keep us in the UN????? Why don't we quit voting for the corrupt "Two-Party Cartel" & change the course of America. If you dont't think this cartel is corrupt then why would you have this administration outwardly supporting a LIB/Dem in Liberman? This man is probably further left in voting than the Hildabeast.

[for-q-clinton]

How many french troops does it take to raise a white flag?
200,Ha! Actually I don't think this is accurate. If you read the article. The Frnech want to make sure they can raise the white flag of surrender so they want 400 troops. Just to make sure the enemy knows they are surrendering. Plus it gives them more soldiers to surrender. It's every french soldiers dream to surrender early in a conflict so they should have no problem getting volunteers for this duty. I'd expect the number to easily go to 800 (the total size of the french army).