A dirty little secret about the French.

On CBS this a.m., Joe Biden was being interviewed about Saddam. And, correct me if I am wrong, but I thought he said that one of the only other countries supporting U.S. efforts in Afghanistan (sending in troops) was France. This was certainly news to me. If it is true, why did we start that whole anti-France thing, ie. Freedom Fries. If anyone can post some info on this I would greatly appreciate it.

as does germany, so they're not the only other country doing it, but a bunch of people who didn't want us going to war with iraq support us in afghanistan.

There was so much animosity toward the French in the past year, I really did not know they were in Afghanistan.

--snip
France -- The French Air Force, deploying C-160 and C-130 aircraft to Dushanbe, Tajikistan, have provided humanitarian assistance as well as national and coalition airlift support. Two KC-135 aircraft will deploy to Manas, Kyrgyzstan to provide aerial refueling. Six Mirage 2000 fighter aircraft will also deploy to Manas. Atlantique aircraft are deployed to Djibouti under national control. -- French engineers helped construct runways, a tent city and a munitions storage facility at Manas. France also provided airfield security (with dogs), a field mess unit, a deployable weather bureau, and a CMO Team. Additionally, France deployed an infantry company to Mazar-e-Sharif to provide area security. -- One French officer is currently serving as an air coordinator at the Regional Air Movement Control Center (RAMCC). -- Kabul Medical Institute The World Health Organization, French Embassy, Loma Linda (NGO) and ISAF are working to make major improvements to the Kabul Medical Institute -- with equipment, books and a new curriculum. The student body of about 2,800 includes 544 women. Currently, the Institute has very poor facilities and the 150 faculty lecturers are without an up-to-date curriculum, training aides, equipment, books and vital medical publications.

France is providing its only Carrier Battle Group to support combat operations in the North Arabian Sea. Aircraft from this Battle Group have flown more than 1,500 hours for OEF to date. France's naval contribution to OEF accounts for approximately 24 percent of their entire naval forces. Additionally, France has been the only non-US country taking part in the operational buildup at Manas airfield in Kyrgyzstan.

Canada -- Canada contributed the first coalition Task Group to arrive in CENTCOM AOR. -- Canada currently has 2,259 personnel in the CENTCOM AOR (747 land, 447 air and 1065 naval personnel). -- The Canadian Naval Forces have been engaged in Maritime Interdiction Operations (MIO), Leadership Interdiction Operations (LIO), escort duties and general maritime surveillance between the North Arabian Gulf and the North Arabian Sea. -- Canadian Air Force CC 150 Polaris (Airbus) and three CC130 (Hercules) aircraft have conducted strategic and tactical airlift. They have moved more than 4.3 million pounds of freight to date. Two CP 140 Aurora (P3C) aircraft are employed in MIO/LIO operations as part of Carrier Task Force 57. Forty-four missions and 391 flight hours have been logged to date. Organic helicopter assets have flown in excess of 700 missions. -- Canada's Light Infantry Battle Group has deployed as part of TF Rakkasan with 693 personnel and 12 COYOTE armored reconnaissance vehicles. These forces have been deployed to Qandahar for security and combat operations. A third Infantry Company will soon be added. -- Special Operations Forces are currently in Afghanistan performing the full spectrum of missions.

Recently, HMCS TORONTO operating in the North Arabian Sea intercepted a small vessel laden with 4,500 pounds of hashish (valued at over $60 million). The vessel was abandoned by its crew during the interception. The cargo and vessel were subsequently destroyed.



Germany -- There are 2,250 German personnel currently operating within the CENTCOM AOR. -- The German Special Operations Forces are currently in Afghanistan performing the full spectrum of SOF missions. -- The German Navy has had three Frigates, one Fast Patrol Boat Group and three Supply Ships operating out of Djibouti, in the Gulf of Aden area since Jan. 2002. -- A German A-310 (Airbus) aircraft is on alert in Germany for use as a medevac platform. -- Germany has one battalion-sized Infantry Task Force operating in Kabul, Afghanistan as part of the ISAF operations. This force is supported by an air transport element operating out of Uzbekistan. -- Employment of afghan war widows -- USAID and CJCMOTF are working on a plan to employ Afghan war widows to make uniforms for the Kabul police force, a micro-industry proposal made possible by a German contribution of 10 million Euros to help train and equip the police force.

This is the first time German ships and maritime patrol aircraft have been operationally involved in a Middle East deployment in more than 50 years.


--snap
http://usinfo.state.gov/topical/pol/terror/02022714.htm

UN mandate action. Iraq wasn't. So they didn't come
to help us total a country without sin in regards to
the World Trade Center business.

This website operated by the French government details the amount of military contribution that France made to the Afghanistan campaign, along with the continued contributions they are making in humanitarian relief and money spent for the reconstruction of Afghanistan. Actually, France sent dozens of military planes and ships and hundreds of men, who participated in the action to oust the Taliban. I read somewhere that in terms of sorties, their pilots actually spent more time in the air than either the U.S. or the British. Yet, there is no mention of this anywhere, anytime, with rare exceptions such as the one you have mentioned.

http://www.info-france-usa.org/news/statmnts/2002/afghan_action.asp

Duers let's get on the France bandwagon...

Am partly French in ancestry.

I thought the French weren't helping us at all....so what was that whole Freedom Fries bit...I think of myself as news savvy but this news about the French committment today truly blew me away today...!!
and p.s. Biden made such a point about it that I felt he wanted to get it into the public fodder..

The State-Department has a list.
http://usinfo.state.gov/topical/pol/terror/02022714.htm

http://www.afnorth.nato.int/ISAF/

understand why Bush has cut off Canada, France, Germany and the others from the reconstruction deals. They know these countries have not helped us and think this is only fair!"....Is she unaware of the contributions Canada and the others mentioned have made in Afghanistan from the beginning and that they are still there helping? And DYING! Either she is uninformed or she's whoring for the Bushies...It's no wonder the general public in the U.S.A. is feeling unfriendly towards these countries!

can have soldiers die in Afghaistan but companies from those contries can't bid on Iraq reconstruction projects!!!! Because their soldiers were deployed on finding Osama rather than Saddamm. Does this drive anyone else crazy?

I don't believe I've heard any of them report it!...:shrug:

sorry I am not a swearer and obviously can't even do it by initials.

we gave up french fries and french toast for no reason??? :eyes: