December 24, 2007
Pave: Afghan Window Dressing XI
Le jour 223 de Sarko
One thing for peace-for-our-time Europa...
FRANCE CANNOT HELP
IN SOUTH AFGHANISTAN: MINISTER
PARIS September 21, 2006 (Reuters)
FRANCE BEATS A RETREAT
Will Pull Special Forces From Afghanistan
PARIS December 18, 2006 (Chicago Sun-Times)
Sarko,It was certainly useful that we sent (the troops) in the context of the war against terrorism,* but the long-term presence of French troops in that part of the world does not seem to me to be decisive. ... There was a given moment for helping (Afghanistan President) Mr. Karzai. ... Then the president of the republic [scil., Jack] decided to repatriate the special forces and a certain number of units. It's a policy I will follow.
la rupture with Jack Shack Afghan policy
then aspiring présidentiel, explaining the subtleties
of
PARIS April 26, 2007 (Reuters)
FRANCE DOES NOT PLAN TO KEEP TROOPS IN AFGHANISTAN
PARIS April 27, 2007 (AFP)
FRANCE URGES DUTCH TO STAY IN SOUTHERN AFGHANISTAN,
BUT WON'T SEND COMBAT SUPPORT
NOORDWIJK, Netherlands October 24, 2007 (IHT/AP)
...something altogether different for French boots-on-the-ground.**
SARKOZY SAYS FRANCE COULD ADD TROOPS IN AFGHANISTAN
KABUL (NYT/Reuters) — In a surprise visit to Afghanistan on Saturday, President Nicolas Sarkozy of France said France might increase its troop presence in the country to help defeat the Taliban-led insurgency.Sarko:
There is a war going on here — a war against terrorism,* against fanaticism, that we cannot and will not lose.
Thank God! A French president finally checks out those rumors a war is being waged against terrorism.*
French forces are mostly stationed in the relatively secure capital, Kabul, and France has repeatedly been urged by NATO members in Afghanistan to dispatch its forces to eastern and southern areas, where Taliban militants are most active. It was unclear whether any increase in French troops would address those concerns.Sarko:
What is certain is that we have not wanted to give the signal of departure, that would have been a despicable signal at a time when one sees the ravages inflicted by terrorism* in the world.
Despicable. [Pause. We re-read our earlier Afghan window dressing posts (links below).] Just the word. [Low steady hum of the room vent.]
We invite skimmers to skim or re-skim these earlier posts, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, and here. God bless those who are disposed to read with care.
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* Jean-David Levitte, then French ambassador to the United States, explaining French nuances to yahoo GWU students, October 10, 2003 (Embassy of France):
I would say if you look at the United States on one side, the Europeans on the other side, there are two important differences. The first one is the word "war" against terrorism -- because of course America is at war, and really at war. In Europe, there was solidarity -- there still is solidarity -- but we don't use the word "war." We most of the time say it's a fight -- a fight not against "terrorism" with an "m," but against "terrorists."
More nuance here.
** Sarko's address to the French troops can be found here.
PFFT (What is this?): Keeping everyone guessing 3½ | Rayonnement français ½
Posted by Damian at December 24, 2007 11:30 PM
