France "Turns the Page" on Iraq

BAGHDAD -- France's foreign minister paid an unannounced and highly symbolic visit to Baghdad yesterday -- the first by a senior French official since the war started and a gesture to the American effort in Iraq after years of icy relations over the US-led invasion. Bernard Kouchner said Paris wanted to "turn the page" and look to the future.

A top American general, meanwhile, said Iran's elite Revolutionary Guard had 50 men training Shi'ite militiamen in remote camps south of Baghdad.

Kouchner said he was not in Iraq to offer initiatives or proposals but to listen to ideas on how his country might help stop the devastating violence.

"Now we are turning the page. There is a new perspective. We want to talk about the future. Democracy, integrity, sovereignty, reconciliation, and stopping the killings. That's my deep aim," Kouchner said after meeting with Iraq's foreign minister, Hosyhar Zebari.
France tries to 'turn the page' on Iraq - The Boston Globe

Wow.......now the French begin to chime in.....isn't this what the Dems were looking for.....world approval for what's going on in Iraq?:D Viva la Kerry/Edwards:D

Have a good one!:s4:

It's probably the french who are stealing all the barrel's of oil.

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Originally Posted by Staurm

It's probably the french who are stealing all the barrel's of oil.

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Never know.....all I know is that the Kerry fans were so worried about having Frances approval for the invasion.....seems that they are coming along with the vision. :D Poor ol' John just can't win shit.......LOL

Have a good one!:s4:

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Originally Posted by Psycho4Bud

Never know.....all I know is that the Kerry fans were so worried about having Frances approval for the invasion.....seems that they are coming along with the vision. :D Poor ol' John just can't win shit.......LOL

Have a good one!:s4:

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Voting for John Kerry in 2004 was a vote for George W. Bush.

It is good that France did not participate in the quagmire.

[YOUTUBE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PMz9PCNbJOg[/YOUTUBE]

Maybe they've some interest in the Iraqi Dinar,~LOL~.

Well Franches new conservative PM doesnt hurt either.

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Originally Posted by fishman3811

Well Franches new conservative PM doesnt hurt either.

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It also helps that the new Government wasn't working deals with Saddam behind the scenes AND against U.N. resolutions.

Have a good one!:s4:

Why didn't we invade France then?

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Originally Posted by Staurm

Why didn't we invade France then?

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Hehehehe........don't get me started! :D IF Chirac and friends were still in charge.........

Have a good one!:s4:

Putin was after some of the oil too I beleive, he's still in power! If you guys don't go after him I'm sure we will soon enough the way things are going. We must protect New Europe!

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Originally Posted by Staurm

Putin was after some of the oil too I beleive, he's still in power! If you guys don't go after him I'm sure we will soon enough the way things are going. We must protect New Europe!

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Putin was dirty as hell too! After all, it was France and Russia that had all the oil contracts in Iraq previous to the liberation.

Have a good one!:s4:

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Originally Posted by Psycho4Bud

Putin was dirty as hell too! After all, it was France and Russia that had all the oil contracts in Iraq previous to the liberation.

Have a good one!:s4:

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So now we and the Brits will have them all, only a few hundred thousand Iraqis lives sacrificed, what the heck, 4,000+ American lives, Wouldn't you have to call that "Blood for oil"? Liberation eh, what a joke. How'd you like to be living in Bagdad,~LOL~ ?

Extremists with car bombs don't reflect the views of the country...

Have a good one!:s4:

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Originally Posted by Psycho4Bud

Extremists with car bombs don't reflect the views of the country...

Have a good one!:s4:

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Please tell me oh wise one, just what is the view of the Iraqis?

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Originally Posted by medicinal

Please tell me oh wise one, just what is the view of the Iraqis?

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Well thank you for asking.......:D

Have a good one!:s4:

Shit where did u get those charts from P4B the cartoon network?

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Originally Posted by Psycho4Bud

Putin was dirty as hell too! After all, it was France and Russia that had all the oil contracts in Iraq previous to the liberation.

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Damn right. It's America's oil! (And some too Britain too for obedience)

LOL those stats, I like the way democracy seems to be gaining support, whilst support for a strong leader appears to be falling dramatically. In 5 years time it'll be like the western world.

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Originally Posted by fishman3811

Shit where did u get those charts from P4B the cartoon network?

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Here's some people that feel that the democracy is a good thing........

[YOUTUBE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NyrStaIoh-w[/YOUTUBE]

Have a good one!:s4:

1. Yes, Putin is a dirty commie.
2. I'm sure that there are many Iraqi's who are happy to not live under saddam.

Here's one. In fact, he deserves his own thread, and I'm going to give it to him:

Iraqi Killed Saving U.S. Troops
Military.com | August 23, 2007
An Iraqi man saved the lives of four U.S. Soldiers and eight civilians when he intercepted a suicide bomber during a Concerned Citizens meeting in the town of al-Arafia Aug. 18.

The incident occurred while Soldiers from 3rd Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment, were talking with members of the al-Arafia Concerned Citizens, a volunteer community group, at a memberâ??s house.

"I was about 12 feet away when the bomber came around the corner," said Staff Sgt. Sean Kane, of Los Altos, Calif., acting platoon sergeant of Troop B, 3-1 Cav. "I was about to engage when he jumped in front of us and intercepted the bomber as he ran toward us. As he pushed him away, the bomb went off."

The citizenâ??s actions saved the lives of four U.S. Soldiers and eight civilians.

Kane felt the loss personally because he had met and interacted with his rescuer many times before the incident.

"He was high-spirited and really believed what the group (Concerned Citizens) was doing," Kane said. "I have no doubt the bomber was trying to kill American Soldiers. It was very calculated the way the bomber tried to do it. If he hadnâ??t intercepted him, there is no telling how bad it could have been."

Kane believes the citizen is a hero.

"He could have run behind us or away from us, but he made the decision to sacrifice himself to protect everyone. Having talked with his father, I was told that even if he would have known the outcome before hand, he wouldnâ??t have acted differently."

Capt. Brian Gilbert, of Boise, Idaho, the commander of Company D, 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, currently attached to 3-1 Cavalry, echoed Kaneâ??s sentiment.

"I spoke with the father," Gilbert said. "He said he has no remorse in his sonâ??s death because he died saving American Soldiers."

Later that night, the Concerned Citizens group contacted the local National Police director, Lt. Col. Samir, with the location of the al-Qaeda cell believed to be responsible for the attack. The National Police immediately conducted a raid that resulted in four arrests.

Despite the citizenâ??s death, Gilbert is encouraged by the cooperation between citizens and the Iraqi National Police.

"The effort of the Concerned Citizens group has made the area much safer," he said. "They are proud of who they are and their area, and want to get rid of the terrorists in their area."

Gilbert also praised the Iraqi National Policeâ??s role in eliminating insurgents in the area.

"The cooperation between them and the Concerned Citizens has been key," Gilbert said. "The NP has done a great job of responding to the tips they have been given by the group."

Gilbert said he believes the area is improving because of the efforts of local citizens. The death, while unfortunate, demonstrated how close many in the area have become with the American Soldiers operating there.

"I consider many in the town friends, and I know they feel the same," Gilbert said. "This is a tough situation, but weâ??ll move on and try to prevent things like this from happening again. Iâ??ve talked with his family and told them how brave their son was. This is a huge loss for everyone involved."

Sound Off...What do you think? Join the discussion.

Copyright 2007 Military.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

No surprise here, didn't the Frenchies just elect some right wing asshole?

I guess any Frenchman since La Fayette or De Toqueville, who doesn't hate America, must be a right-wing asshole. But then again, you'd probably call La Fayette and De Toqueville right-wing assholes if they came along today. If you even knew who they were, that is.

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Originally Posted by Psycho4Bud

Here's some people that feel that the democracy is a good thing........

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They all look so happy! America should give democracy to every country in the world. Let us know when you are coming to Scotland and I'll book myself into a bothy in some remote part of the Highlands, normally its a 2-3 week in-and-out job right?

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Originally Posted by Psycho4Bud

Extremists with car bombs don't reflect the views of the country...

Have a good one!:s4:

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Herein lies the problem. Iraq is not now and never has been a "country". It either needs to be ruled by a dictator or divided into three states united in a loose confederation.

JMO

PC :smokin:

Iraq= Kurdistan-Shiitestan-and Sunnistand, and a little nich for the Baathists, probably with the Sunnis. Any Idea of centralizing power is about Nucking Futz.