Such a storied country. Such a congregation of magnificent people. The staple of Christendom. A nation fueled from Glory and Conquest; of advancement and adventure. A country and people who came to our aid during our own revolution. The home of a Corsican who led his Grande Armée across Europe, which at the battle of Austerlitz, when Napoleon’s Grande Armee defeated the combined armies of Austria and Russia in just six hours, killing 19,000 of their adversaries. The Corsican turned Frenchmen was truly a man with few equals in history. Not to mention, a country and people who came to our aid during our own revolution.
I guess that is ancient history now. CS Monitor:
France is leaving Afghanistan. Though President Obama has committed to reducing America’s footprint in Afghanistan beginning July 2011, the withdrawal of another ally is likely to add an additional layer of challenge to maneuver that reduction. And the timing of the announcement has put France’s decision under some scrutiny.
France’s announcement came a day after the release of a tape with a message believed to be from Osama Bin Laden, who threatened to attack French citizens because of their presence in Afghanistan and treatment of Muslims. French officials were quick to insist that there is “absolutely no link” between the threat and their decision to begin withdrawing troops in 2011.
[Snip]
There are approximately 3,500 French troops in Afghanistan, stationed mostly to the east of Kabul. France has had soldiers in Afghanistan since 2001 and 50 of those soldiers have died over the course of the nine-year war. France has previously indicated that it would not send additional troops to Afghanistan.
French officials have yet to confirm the authenticity of the tape, in which the Al Qaeda leader threatens to kill and kidnap more French citizens as a result of their involvement in what Mr. bin Laden calls an unjust war.
“The equation is very clear and simple: as you kill, you will be killed; as you take others hostages, you will be taken hostages,” said bin Laden in a part of the tape given to Al Jazeera.
So this historical Nation allows an Islamic Monkey, who no one has laid eyes on in years, to dictate their foreign policy and resolve?
Mr Morin said French forces hoped to withdraw from Surobi, east of the Afghan capital, where they have seen heavy fighting and where 10 paratroopers died in a single Taliban ambush in August 2008. Nato has tried to prevent nations naming which areas they will hand over, arguing the districts will become targets for insurgents seeking to reinfiltrate.
His comments came despite Nato diplomats’ efforts ahead of a summit in Lisbon to demonstrate an “enduring commitment” to Hamid Karzai, the Afghan president, up to and beyond the 2014 date when his forces will take responsibility for security.
Withdrawal of French troops would also defy Nato commanders’ desire for troops to remain as trainers in Afghanistan once they have handed over combat duties to Kabul. Source: The Telegraph
And they wonder why the stereotypical accusations abound?
Commentary
I knew there was a reason I still instinctively boycott all French products.
Jeff: I knew there was a reason I still instinctively boycott all French products.
That’s right. You’ve been boycotting the French while their troops have been fighting and dying alongside your countrymen for nearly a decade after you were attacked on 9/11.
The whole idea is to hand security over to Afghan forces as part of orderly withdrawals. The Netherlands has already withdrawn. Canada is withdrawing next year. The British are looking at a similar date for a partial withdrawal. And the United States has announced it will begin its withdrawal next year, too.
Zachreil – Well, first, you’re way too serious my friend. Second, while I’m willing to admit the French have helped some, though they could have done more, I’m not willing to forget all the other anti-American things the French government has done over the years.