Some Americans still haven’t gotten used to the fact that since the election of Nicolas Sarkozy as French President, France is just about our staunchest European ally. In contrast to the Germans the Dutch and even the British, according to this editorial by Pierre Rousselin of France’s Le Figaro, it seems that Paris is the rare European capital, ready, willing and able to send more troops into harms way in Afghanistan for the good of Western civilization. Rousselin writes, ‘The Atlantic Alliance will not withstand a failure of its first mission beyond Europe’s borders. … Our special forces are very popular with the Americans. They are preparing to reenter service against al-Qaeda and the Taliban, and the sending of reinforcements to more sensitive areas is under consideration.’
Pierre Rousselin
Translated By James Jacobson
February 11, 2008
France – Le Figaro – Original Article (French)
In Afghanistan, NATO is in big trouble. On the ground it’s very difficult to resist the return of the Taliban and staff headquarters is at pains to find countries willing to volunteer combat troops. The Atlantic Alliance will not withstand a failure of its first mission beyond Europe’s borders.
France, which is participating in the common effort, can contribute to ameliorating the situation. It has the means and the political will – and in any case, certainly more than most of its European allies.
Because we intend to carry more weight in the decisions of the Atlantic Alliance and to revive European defense, Afghanistan will be an initial test for us.
Americans, English and Canadians are deployed in the south and east, where fight the fighting is most deadly. They have appealed for more of their European allies, who have taken up positions in the North of the country where there is less danger, to send reinforcements in the south. No countries have volunteered.
The situation speaks volumes about the crisis in NATO. It lacks resources and it lacks political courage. If every capital can limit the geographical commitments of its troops because it fears the public reaction, it becomes impossible to comprehend how this comprises a cohesive military alliance. On the battlefield, operations must be conducted under extreme conditions, which is why the systematic use of these restrictions on the use of troops is a mechanism that NATO authorities must one day reconsider.
In the mean time, France, which has the mission of securing Kabul, is ready to do more. Since last September, our Air Force has carried out ground-support missions out of Kandahar, where the Rafale [fighter jets] will join with the Mirages [also fighter jets], which are already in action. Our special forces, which were committed between 2003 and January 2007, are very popular with the Americans. They are preparing to reenter service against al-Qaeda and the Taliban, and the sending of reinforcements to more sensitive areas is under consideration.
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