French u-turn on iraq war

[unclehobart]

FRENCH U-TURN ON IRAQ WAR

France has announced it could assist any US-led military coalition if Iraq uses chemical and biological weapons.

The turnaround comes after strong French opposition to a war in Iraq, including threats to veto a UN Security Council resolution paving the way for armed conflict.


French ambassador Jean-David Levitte said: "If Saddam Hussein were to use chemical and biological weapons, this would change the situation completely and immediately for the French government."

Mr Levitte said a decision on any French participation in the war would be made by French President Jacques Chirac, if and when biological or chemical weapons were used.

Although he declined to give details on the possible shape of French participation, Levitte said, "We have equipment to fight in these circumstances."
(developing story)

http://www.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,30000-1084093,00.html

 

[PT]

I figured some of them would turn around, just waiting for Russia and China to step up to the plate now.

 

[ipmoof]

The French have bean eating chemical ordinance for years so this doesn't suprise me.

 

[unclehobart]

The Chinese never get involved. The Russians can't afford to since their entire southern stretch is a permeable sieve to the Middle East region. If Russian troops entered the area, the seperatist actions all in Azerbijan, Georgia, Armenia .. etc. will boil over 10 fold.

 

[tommyj27]

i don't know that it's such a u-turn as it is a clarification of stance, if anyone starts plugging off WMD i'm going to re-evaluate my attitude towards them. but Iraq doesn't have any WMD, they said so.

 

[PT]

The Chinese never get involved. The Russians can't afford to since their entire southern stretch is a permeable sieve to the Middle East region. If Russian troops entered the area, the seperatist actions all in Azerbijan, Georgia, Armenia .. etc. will boil over 10 fold.

I didn't mean get involved with actual troops, just to stand behind and quit saying that it's "A Grave Mistake" and such. I'd really like to see some more agreement on this.

 

[HomeLAN]

"Oh my God, we're about to become even more irrelevant! Sacre Blue!"

 

[Astaroth33]

If the Iraqis use chemical weapons and the French do offer to "help", I'd like to see the US and its allies publicly politely decline. Thanks, but no thanks, go back to your whine and cheese, and no, those oil contracts you signed with Saddam will NOT be honored, Monseiur Chirac..

 

[PT]

It would be nice to see, but it probably won't happen. Now we may give them latrine duty when they get there, but it won't be publicized.

 

[HomeLAN]

We won't refuse it. That would be very stupid politically. They may be largely useless, but they are still a player in Europe.

 

[unclehobart]

We can always use the Foreign Legion. Those guys know how to laugh at 125f in the shade.

 

[Squiggy]

What they are doing is no different than me choosing to support our troops despite being against the war. They made their stand against the war. Not against us. Just as I did.

 

[Jeslek]

Not against us.

Good one.

And they aren't supporting us UNLESS a WMD is launched.

 

[samcurry]

I dont get it jeslek?
or did you misunderstand us to mean the US, as in the country?

 

[Jeslek]

What? No, "us" refers to the United States. They aren't supporting the United States UNLESS a WMD is launched as indicated in the news article:

"France has announced it could assist any US-led military coalition if Iraq uses chemical and biological weapons."

 

[samcurry]

just call me homer....

 

[Jeslek]

* passes sam a beer.

 

[Squiggy]

pucker up Sam. You're getting your ass kissed.

 

[Gonz]

Germany has already sent Chem Specialists...

The problem isn't the countries, it's diplomacy. There has to be an end game with diplomats otherwise they'll never shut up.

 

[Professur]

I was thinking this over a bit. What if, all the while, Iraq has been secretly either destroying or exporting it's WMDs. The US barges in, guns drawn, and finds no a god damn thing. Can you think of anything more damaging to the US international image? That Hussein keeps smiling makes me very suspicious. He's too good a player to not have an ace up his sleeve. And (let's face it) Bush isn't anywhere near his league. Hussein's been in power for decades, riding the edge, and balancing power cells to maintain and augment his advantage. Bush could fall off an aircraft carrier.