Last year, during the second gulf war, I was at Prince Sultan Air Base, in Saudi Arabia. There, we had French, British, US, Canadian, and Australian soldiers and airmen. When the war started, the French were unceremoniously tossed out of the Command and Control areas of the base. The French actually wanted to help, and were very emotional about their dis-like of Chirac's decision. Some of them were even in tears as they left. They did, however, remain on base, in the hopes that their government would change it's mind, and allow them to do the job that was never finished in the first war. I never said any of this before, because I didn't think it was my place to do so. Now that this thread has become what it is, I decided to let it be known. Say what you will about whether you believe me, but I speak with authority on this matter.