[pppp]

' there is nothing "robust" about the French. The 40 odd variety of cheese can be wobbly and stinky'
I meant 'robust' by comparison. The French military contribution was supposed to be 5000 soldiers with permission to shoot, with task to supervise Hezbollah disarmament [even if we assume that French servicemen know more about cheese than about firearms, it doesn't sound so bad]. What we got are less than 50 people in uniforms on the ground and promise that another 150 will arrive. To be honest I can't grasp what is the point of their arrival anyway. They won't disarmed guerrillas, they won't be put into dangerous [unstable] situation. So what is going on? UN is paying for French servicemen holiday, as the expression of the gratitude for fruitful cooperation?

[odds]

I know, my comment about cheese was tongue in cheek.

I'm not sure what exactly is going on with the French. A few days ago, I read that the French contribution will be only about 200 troops. It is particularly strange when you consider that Lebanon has had very close French connection over the decades.

I believe, from what I hear thru the media, that the Chirac government won't be in power much longer.