[YankBastard]

Quelle est votre opinion à ce sujet?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programme...nt/7942086.stm

Earlier this week, French President Nicolas Sarkozy said his country would end four decades of self-imposed isolation and return to Nato's military command.

Here, the BBC's Allan Little reflects on France's long journey to reconcile itself with one of the darkest chapters in its history and its difficult relationship with the US and the UK.

[Catel]

That won't change many things as long as we keep our nuclear military autonomy.

[Nanbawan]

one of the darkest chapters in its history

WTF ?

[Pierre-Henri]

I don't care at all. France is already part of NATO anyway. The so-called "isolation" was nothing but a few diplomatic technicalities devised to quiet down the anti-americans here.

And, indeed, "one of the darkest chapters in its history" ? What does that mean ? This is a completely irrelevant diversion. France didn't leave the NATO because of WWII, but because of the communist influence in the country during the cold war era.

This journalist is out of his mind. When did the BBC become some sort of tabloïd ? Never ever did France minimize the price Americans, British and Canadians paid for our freedom. Come here and visit the military graveyards. We take care of each and every tomb.

http://www.normandie44lamemoire.com/...imetieres.html

[guignol]

Originally Posted by Pierre-Henri

We take care of each and every tomb.

even better than we (they) do in the states. that's why the NYPost headline "they died for france but france has forgotten" (something I'LL never forget!!!! ) was such a despicable load of horse manure.

[guignol]

and once again, sarko has chosen to act just where it will make the biggest headlines and have the least real effect. like getting all the télérama readers hot and bothered about commercials on france télévision to distract everyone from the ream he was planning for education and research. btw P-H, what's your take on that in strasbourg? i've been meaning to ask!

[Anthony]

I have an idea -- how about a trade. France in NATO and US out.

Considering that NATO was formed to defend the West against an enemy that no longer exists, can someone explain to me why it still is around? Is Serbia a huge threat to the West?

[Nanbawan]

What to expect from a guy who jogs with a NYPD T-shirt and Ray-Bans anyway...

[Nanbawan]

Originally Posted by Anthony

I have an idea -- how about a trade. France in NATO and US out.

Considering that NATO was formed to defend the West against an enemy that no longer exists, can someone explain to me why it still is around? Is Serbia a huge threat to the West?

I've read on Courrier International website that many in Moscow seem to appreciate this move because they consider that France's link with Russia may help their case...

Sadly, the article isn't available for free any more...Since yesterday, damn !

[Anthony]

Originally Posted by Nanbawan

I've read on Courrier International website that many in Moscow seem to appreciate this move because they consider that France's link with Russia may help their case...

Sadly, the article isn't available for free any more...Since yesterday, damn !

Well fine. And if the rest of Europe has a problem with that, take it up with the EU, whatever replaces NATO and the spend some money on your defense.

We maintain an army in Europe to defend the US from, well, nobody. And Europe from, well, who exactly? It made sense in 1949 when the USSR was run by Stalin and Europe was in ruins -- having fought over it twice, we did not want to fight over it a third time.

And it made sense in 1985 when a prosperous Europe was freeriding to some extent but the thought of an expansionist USSR was still a danger to us. We needed to prove our commitment to give some backbone to Europe.

I read recently that a pretty solid majority of Europeans would not wish to defend the Baltics if Russia invaded. Despite the fact that Russia today is weak, poor, and not an ideological or military threat to the rest of Europe. So why should the US make security committments to Europe when the avergae European seems uninterested in a in security in its backyard?