There's some very strange things going on with this board. Anyone else notice? I post, someone replies, I click on the email link and I'm taken to a much earlier post and not the one in the email - which doesn't exist. Later, it all shows back up again.
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Originally Posted by lulu
The relevance, or not, of France is not really a concern to me.
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Then I guess you calling me a moron would just be an unprovoked personal attack.
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Maybe this (apparent) anomaly just means your current administration could use a few pointers on the usefulness and correct use of diplomacy.
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Thanks, but no thanks. I'd rather we be a nation that says what it means and means what it says. We'll leave the appeasing to you guys.
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Did you know that the plane that bombed the french position made three bombing runs before engaging?
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Nope. All I know is that if France wasn't so heavily invested in Cote d'Ivorie they wouldn't be there.
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We'll leave when the UN ask us to (or probably sooner, the way things are going), but certainly not at Gbagbo's request.
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Yea. Who cares what the legitimately elected president of a sovereign nation has to say? I with you, man.
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So, what was your point, really?
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That there's very little news, and even less moral outrage, on this because no one really cares what France does. As I said, it's a great revelation for me. The past two years suddenly make sense.
@marlin
So, I'll repeat mine. Here are some supporting articles for the Heritage piece:
http://www.diplomatie.fr/actual/doss...110701.gb.html
"Q. - How would you define France's new Africa policy?
THE MINISTER - ...Another major change: we no longer interfere in domestic crises.
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Q. - Since you have abandoned the erstwhile interventionism, does it still make sense to have military bases in Abidjan and Libreville?
THE MINISTER - ... They were, in the past, sometimes used for old-style interventions."
http://www.ipsnews.net/africa/Focus/...n/note_6.shtml
"France is keeping up its old policy of ”only exploiting the natural and geopolitical resources of the continent,” says Francois Xavier Verschave, author of several books on the French government's African policy, including Noir Silence and La Francafrique. ”In Paris, many continue to believe that Africa is their private garden, where they can do whatever they want, where all crimes are possible and where impunity reigns.”
Don't worry, I won't let the fact that the first link comes from Le Monde (a very respectable, unbiased piece of toilet paper), and that the second is a French authority on Franco/African relations, sway my opinion on the veracity of the piece. See, unlike you, I understand that you have to evaluate the facts of a piece, and not the messenger. But don't let that get in your way. Cling fast to your opinions, they'll keep you warm at night.
@muspell
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Not much to report on, really...
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Yea, right. Of course, when Europe is involved we must not rush to judgement. When the US is involved there is no end to the speculation. I understand.
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Oh, I would. My mistake is that I think everyone else would like so as well.
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Well, it's not going to just come to you. Facts have to be looked for. Of course, it is much easier to sling arrows than to discuss facts. So, be warned, you will have to work harder when you get them.