Iraq... Waht else?

[Kitsune]

What do you think? War against Iraq - Yes or no? What do you think about the german and franch position?

[Kitsune]

Aehem... frEnch that is... sorry!

[Vance]

Theres already been a thread about this

[hood]

yep, check out http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/viewtopic.php?t=1284

[Austin Pancamo]

I saw on the news (CNN) that allegedly the French have been supplying Iraq with a lot of their materials to rebuild their army after the Gulf War. Maybe they're scared we'll dig up the truth.

[Kitsune]

Hmmm.... interesting thought.
But I don't believe it that this would be all that bad. Lets not forget that the americans could have disposed Saddam in 1991... and chose not to, allegedly because they (Condolezza, C.I.A. and such) wanted him as "stabilizing factor" in the region. And for this he needs an army. So someone had to sell him stuff. The french might have thought let's earn the money befor someone else does... (and in fact I wouldn't be surprised to hear that american companie also sold weapons to iraq in the 90ties... they had befor). No... i do not think that is the reason for the french position.
But thanks for the input! Until this i hadn't heard about this CNN report!

[Mogadon]

Out of interest I'd just thought i'd say that much of the technology that Iraq has came by way of the Americans and British before Desert Storm so I don't really think we'd have a leg to stand on if we accused the French of anything.

[hood]

The main reason why the French and to an extent Russia, are very hesitant about backing a war in Iraq, is that Iraq owes them a LOT of money. The fear that if the regime is toppled, they may have no way of collecting that money under agreements that may be nullified if those people aren't around anymore. Whether it be because the French sold them weapons or not, they obviously weren't paid yet for whatever aid they gave and are probably pretty angry at this point.