Originally posted by xmotex
The French have their own interests, but they are undoubtedly US allies, simply not a satellite state. Does no-one remember the "good old days" (2001) when the French were among the first to support US actions in Afghanistan (with troops not just words) and sent half the French Navy to the Indian Ocean? That Jaques Chirac was the first foreign leader to pay a visit to Ground Zero in lower Manhattan?
Or how about 1991, where the French sent forces to fight in the Gulf War?
The fact that they did not support going into Iraq this time hardly makes them an "enemy", in retrospect it seems their doubts were well founded. Half the population of the United States did not support the Iraq invasion either, are half the citizens of the United States "enemies" of the United States?
And 2002, in Cote D'Ivoire:
French troops have rescued 160 mainly American children and staff trapped at an international school in Bouake, the central Ivorian city which has been under control of mutinous soldiers for almost a week.
The evacuation came after instructions from the Americans that the children be driven to safety out of the city, in convoy, towards a temporary French military base at the airport in the Cote d’Ivoire capital, Yamoussoukro, about 40 miles (65km) south of Bouake.
Reports said two American Hercules transport planes, which landed in Yamoussoukro on Wednesday, were on standby to fly out the children, probably to neighbouring Ghana.
The students, ranging in age from 5 to 18, waved American flags and shouted Vive La France (Long Live France).
allafrica.com...
-koji K.
[edit on 4-5-2005 by koji_K]
[edit on 4-5-2005 by koji_K]
