So what is it really....about these French?

gumboot said:
I think you're totally misreading what happened.

Nothing ever works the first time, but you always put your best proposal forward first. That's how negotiations work. France and the US put forward their ideal proposal, Lebanon and the Arab League demanded changes, so they adjusted the proposal (to what I feel is a much better balance).

I simply cannot see any way in which this could be construed as France "backing off".

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-Andrew
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I don't see any difference between what you reference and what was first proposed, except that it may now appear that the Arabs have gained something, at least to the stupider ones. Hey, maybe that is clever maneouvering but I have my doubts.

Also, I wouldn't normally bother to comment on obvious typos, but did the BBC really write "phrased" withdrawal?:boggled:
 
Elind said:
I don't see any difference between what you reference and what was first proposed, except that it may now appear that the Arabs have gained something, at least to the stupider ones. Hey, maybe that is clever maneouvering but I have my doubts.

Also, I wouldn't normally bother to comment on obvious typos, but did the BBC really write "phrased" withdrawal?:boggled:
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Yes, they did. Well spotted. :p I guess their spell-checker is broken.

I thought the original proposal didn't involve Lebanon but involved a very large UN contingent, and only required Israeli withdrawal after the UN were in situ.

I could be wrong though...

:)

-Andrew
 
gumboot said:
I thought the original proposal didn't involve Lebanon but involved a very large UN contingent, and only required Israeli withdrawal after the UN were in situ.

I could be wrong though...

:)

-Andrew
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Clearly any Israeli withdrawal has to be phased in some way. The goal has always been to have Lebanese troops there. The goal is still to have more than violation counters from the UN.

I see little difference, but perhaps there is method in this bickering. By the time they come back to the original proposal the Arabs can go back to their flock and say they gained something.
 
Elind said:
Surprised that mostly what I get is flack for being mean about the French.:(
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Well, everytime the French are mentionned here it's always derogatory. It's getting tiresome.

And when you accuse a nation of conniving, you have to bring some proof.

Elind said:
they so unprincipled that they engineered it so as to make them look good with the fundies, and the US bad?
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Pardalis said:
Well, everytime the French are mentionned here it's always derogatory. It's getting tiresome.
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What do your tiresome feelings have to do with reality?

The French have been the odd man out since DeGaule. Ask the Canadians if you don't believe me.

They are second only to the Russians in terms of playing power games with the US, and it's not on higher principles. That applies to Nato, to Iraq, when they gave moral comfort to Saddam and, IMHO encouraged him to resist the UN and allow GWB to go to war. This week I hear they commented that Iran was a "stabilizing" force in the Middle East! Talk of suck up.:boggled:

I wouldn't trust the French with anything significant if their interests could be served by embarrasing the US in any way.

Sorry you don't like that and find it tiresome, but you aren't forced to comment.
 
Elind said:
For what it's worth, I drink several bottles of wine a week. None of it has been French for several years (but a lot is Australian for the benefit of those who care ;))

Opinions anyone?
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Many German whites are excellent - if you can get it, Trochenbeerenausleses
are to die for (better than Eiswein for my palate)!!
 
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