Article

2008-03-22 Afghanistan

France To Send 1,000 More Troops to Afghanistan

Archived material is restricted to Rantburg regulars and members. If you need access email fred.pruitt=at=gmail.com with your nick to be added to the members list. There is no charge to join Rantburg as a member.

Posted by Matt 2008-03-22 09:09|| || Front Page|| [11127 views ] Top

#1 The French soldier, when well-led, will fight. I don't know if these will be Legionaires or French troops.

As a practical matter, having a unit of troops that is combat trained and experienced is not a bad thing for any nation.

Posted by Chuck Simmins">Chuck Simmins 2008-03-22 10:04|| http://northshorejournal.org]">[http://northshorejournal.org] 2008-03-22 10:04|| Front Page Top

#2 Victoria Nuland, the US Ambassador to Nato, told The Times in an exclusive interview: "One of the problems is that European defence budgets are going down. When you look at the alliance, you don't see 30,000 troops sitting in a parking lot with nothing to do and waiting to be sent somewhere."

Bravo to Sarko and the French! Damn the diplodink democracy for everybody moonbat and her troops in "parking lot" comment. The reason the Euros have declining military budgets is because they no longer have the Russian bear at their door and unitl most recently, they've permitted the United States to bankroll the GWOT.

Posted by Besoeker 2008-03-22 10:32|| 2008-03-22 10:32|| Front Page Top

#3 The reason the Euros have declining military budgets is because they no longer have the Russian bear at their door and unitl most recently, they've permitted the United States to bankroll the GWOT.

The reason is that the US guarantees their defence. It's time to get out of Nato. Let them defend them selves like grown-ups or live in submission like children.

Posted by Nimble Spemble 2008-03-22 10:42|| 2008-03-22 10:42|| Front Page Top

#4 We've been making fun of the eurines for a long time now, but once upon a time, the best or worst thing that could happen to you (depending on whose side you were on) was to encounter a French or Belgian paratrooper on patrol in Africa. I hope they can bring some of that to the 'stan...

Posted by M. Murcek">M. Murcek 2008-03-22 10:51|| 2008-03-22 10:51|| Front Page Top

#5 See a French Army or Legionnaire, buy them a drink.

They've finally been allowed to step up to the plate.

Posted by OldSpook 2008-03-22 11:03|| 2008-03-22 11:03|| Front Page Top

#6 France's problems have never been her troops. And now that the French are led by a Hungarian, they are headed in the right direction. Let's hope he stays in charge a long time.

Posted by Nimble Spemble 2008-03-22 11:31|| 2008-03-22 11:31|| Front Page Top

#7 Even support troops will lift some of the burden off the US and are very welcome. The average French fight man is good. Leadership... not so much. But, many western nations have the same issue.

Either way, good to have you back France.

Posted by DarthVader">DarthVader 2008-03-22 12:02|| 2008-03-22 12:02|| Front Page Top

#8 And now that the French are led by a Hungarian

During the elctoral campaign Sarkozy told to a woman: "You are not Morocan and I am not Hungarian we are both French".

BTW, Sarkozy has a (French) Jewish mother.

Posted by JFM">JFM 2008-03-22 12:29|| 2008-03-22 12:29|| Front Page Top

#9 Post your troopies at home, when car burnings cease from lack of living "Youts" then come, and welcome.

Posted by Redneck Jim">Redneck Jim 2008-03-22 12:51|| 2008-03-22 12:51|| Front Page Top

#10 We need them in Afghanistan. The French 'yout' problem also needs dealing with, but not by their military.

Posted by lotp 2008-03-22 15:55|| 2008-03-22 15:55|| Front Page Top

#11 Too bad the French don't have the equivalent of the Italians Carabinieri, especially the Spec Ops ones like the 1st Rgt in Livorno.

That's the type of militarized police force they need to let loose on the yoots.

Or the Carabinieri ROS (they were formed to take on the Mafia) - sic them on the "leaders".

Posted by OldSpook 2008-03-22 16:39|| 2008-03-22 16:39|| Front Page Top

#12
Too bad the French don't have the equivalent of the Italians Carabinieri, especially the Spec Ops ones like the 1st Rgt in Livorno.

Yes they have it is called Gendarmerie: a branch
of the French military who does police work in rural areas with subsidiary duties as MP. They have some armor but AFAIK no artillery. In 1940 Gendarmerie's armored units were engaged against the Germans. AFAIK they don't have a special forces regiment only a (very good) SWAT like unit.

Posted by JFM">JFM 2008-03-22 17:34|| 2008-03-22 17:34|| Front Page Top

#13 Payment for the Airbus deal.

Posted by DK70 2008-03-22 21:51|| 2008-03-22 21:51|| Front Page Top

#14 You think this tweeked the diplos noses, wait'll they get a load of Sarkozy's comments on keeping their nukes (and subtly referencing the "Iranian issue").

Posted by BA 2008-03-22 23:58|| 2008-03-22 23:58|| Front Page Top

23:59 BA
23:58 BA
23:53 BA
23:53 Frank G
23:42 g(r)omgoru
23:41 Barbara Skolaut
23:39 Old Patriot
23:38 Barbara Skolaut
23:37 Barbara Skolaut
23:36 BA
23:25 Alaska Paul
23:23 BA
23:21 Alaska Paul
23:15 Alaska Paul
23:14 BA
23:06 Excalibur
23:02 M. Murcek
22:51 M. Murcek
22:47 GK
22:36 tipover
22:33 tipover
22:32 tu3031
22:21 tu3031
22:14 Squinty Slose7299