French "out-tough" US over Iran Nuclear Program.....

[MMC]

As annoying as they can be on an everyday basis, the French are really at their best at crunch time.eace

Yeah, they are pretty good with doing a whole lot of talking.....not so much so, Militarily-wise. Moreover Iran knows how much France is involved with Syria.

 

[anatta]

seems that allowing any level of nuclear enrichment by Iran was the deal breaker.

Haas ( not a big fan, but he does know his stuff)
is saying there is no reason for a "phase 1" (his words) type of deal - better to just make the grand bargain.

No-one is happy with this incrementalism

 

[SgtRock]

Wow, I am impressed. France grows a pair. Never negotiate with terrorist. And make no mistake the Iranian government are terrorist. Just look at their record. Anyways, good for France.

 

[Jack Hays]

Yeah, they are pretty good with doing a whole lot of talking.....not so much so, Militarily-wise. Moreover Iran knows how much France is involved with Syria.

During the Cuban missile crisis JFK sent Dean Acheson to meet with DeGaulle. DeDaulle's reply? "The West only has one commander in chief. Tell your president we are with him."

During Desert Storm the French requested and were given the position on the far left of Schwarzkopf's left hook, the position of most exposure and danger. They performed superbly, driving farther and faster than any other engaged units.eace

 

[MMC]

During the Cuban missile crisis JFK sent Dean Acheson to meet with DeGaulle. DeDaulle's reply? "The West only has one commander in chief. Tell your president we are with him."

During Desert Storm the French requested and were given the position on the far left of Schwarzkopf's left hook, the position of most exposure and danger. They performed superbly, driving farther and faster than any other engaged units.eace

Here was the reason why. Had to do with the 101st and 82nd who Lead the Way.

 

[MMC]

Here was the reason why. Had to do with the 101st and 82nd who Lead the Way.

Notice where the Bulk of the Fighting and battles took place.....and where the French were.

 

[Jack Hays]

Here was the reason why. Had to do with the 101st and 82nd who Lead the Way.

Please note that the 82nd did not step off until Phase Two, by which time the French had secured the flank (in Phase One) and assumed responsibility for its entire length.eace

 

[MMC]

Please note that the 82nd did not step off until Phase Two, by which time the French had secured the flank (in Phase One) and assumed responsibility for its entire length.eace

I did.....that's why I mentioned the 101st.

 

[Jack Hays]

I did.....that's why I mentioned the 101st.

Understood. They moved with the French protecting their left. At the time the countermove that most worried our commanders was from the desert against the left flank. That's why the French were there.eace

 

[MMC]

Understood. They moved with the French protecting their left. At the time the countermove that most worried our commanders was from the desert against the left flank. That's why the French were there.eace

Well....little did they know that there would be hardly any resistance from the flank that was expected to get hit but didn't. Truthfully in all the assessments I have seen Jack. The French just aren't given much kudos. You do know the reason why, Right?

Might have to do with Where The General got his plan from.

 

[Jack Hays]

Well....little did they know that there would be hardly any resistance from the flank that was expected to get hit but didn't. Truthfully in all the assessments I have seen Jack. The French just aren't given much kudos. You do know the reason why, Right?

Might have to do with Where The General got his plan from.

Looks a lot like a reverse image of the work of a fellow named Schlieffen.eace

 

[MMC]

Looks a lot like a reverse image of the work of a fellow named Schlieffen.eace

Indeed my friend.

Indeed!

 

[Sherman123]

When Iran appeared close to a preliminary deal with world powers over its nuclear program, France stepped up to say: Not so fast — a surprise move that exposed divisions among the United States and other Western negotiators who had long been in lockstep on the issue.

http://l1.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/n...webfeeds/c8553e3de67aa825420f6a7067001202.jpg

France, analysts say, was motivated by factors including its tough stand against the spread of nuclear weapons, skepticism about Tehran's trustworthiness, and the longstanding French tradition of speaking out on the world stage. Critics faulted France for alleged grandstanding and seeking closer ties with Iran's foes.

After the Geneva talks ended early Sunday with no deal, diplomats including U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said that progress was nonetheless made and negotiations will continue Nov. 20. He said the U.S. was "grateful" to the French and shared some of their concerns.

In Geneva, the U.S., Britain, Germany, Russia, China and top EU diplomat Catherine Ashton were looking for initial caps on Iran's ability to make an atomic bomb, while Tehran sought some easing of sanctions stifling its economy. But French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius broke the near-uniform silence of the diplomats during the talks by using French radio to express reservations about Iran's enrichment of uranium and prospects of producing plutonium.

"You know, the French are very irritating. When the Americans absolutely want to do something, the French have this terrible habit of somewhat disagreeing," said analyst Francois Heisbourg of the Foundation for Strategic Research think tank in Paris. "We actually have experience in dealing with the Iranians directly. There used to be negotiations between the Europeans (and the Iranians) between 2003 and 2005."

"The Americans haven't spoken to the Iranians since 1979. And the Americans are telling us how it should be done," Heisbourg said. As for the Americans, "maybe they just want a deal — it happens all the time in history: People badly want a deal and end up by negotiating against themselves."

Kerry said the United States has "serious and capable" experts who have dealt with Iran for years.....snip~

French out-tough US over Iran nuclear program

Now how about that.....at Least the French have spoken up about Iran and has doubts. What do you think about this? What do you think about Team Obama looking to cave-in with Iran? Hows that headline looking for Team Obama and the US? Do you think it emboldens Iran and our enemies?

Many have speculated (I somewhat agree) that France acted as a proxy for the United States. The essential relationship in these negotiations is between the United States and Iran, without a solid foundation there nothing can get off the ground. It is highly unlikely that if a deal was desired by both of the aforementioned parties that France would be able (or willing) to seriously impede it. Instead this was a mechanism for sending a message to Iran that serious action on Arak and their HEU will be required without poisoning the delicately rapprochement between the US and Iran. If you notice you'll see that Iran has been surprisingly specific in directing criticism at France, not the United States which is odd but makes sense if the purpose of this was to preserve the environment for future negotiations.

It is also worth pointing out that the French demand was that Iran promise to stop working on Arak for the next six months, the Iranians were reticent to do this. However many have pointed out that it is unlikely that Arak would be functional in that time period anyways which may have made this interjection a very good place to start because it means no 'red lines' will be crossed in that time period. Instead it sets up the tenor for how things should go forward without making either side have its position degraded, at least not yet.

 

[washunut]

Many have speculated (I somewhat agree) that France acted as a proxy for the United States. The essential relationship in these negotiations is between the United States and Iran, without a solid foundation there nothing can get off the ground. It is highly unlikely that if a deal was desired by both of the aforementioned parties that France would be able (or willing) to seriously impede it. Instead this was a mechanism for sending a message to Iran that serious action on Arak and their HEU will be required without poisoning the delicately rapprochement between the US and Iran. If you notice you'll see that Iran has been surprisingly specific in directing criticism at France, not the United States which is odd but makes sense if the purpose of this was to preserve the environment for future negotiations.

It is also worth pointing out that the French demand was that Iran promise to stop working on Arak for the next six months, the Iranians were reticent to do this. However many have pointed out that it is unlikely that Arak would be functional in that time period anyways which may have made this interjection a very good place to start because it means no 'red lines' will be crossed in that time period. Instead it sets up the tenor for how things should go forward without making either side have its position degraded, at least not yet.

So you are saying that Kerry flew in to sign a deal he wanted the French to kill. Beyond unlikely. The unholy troika of Obama/Hagel/Kerry will sign or do anything to get ANY deal.

Just another sign that under this administration America is a declining power.