France's Foreign Minister Says US Withdrawal from Iraq Would be Catastroph

[kskiska]

Brilliant move by de Villepin. He must know that * is planning on a pullout ASAP.

SAINT-SYMPHORIEN-LE-CHATEAU, France (AP) - A U.S. pullout from Iraq would be "catastrophic," French Foreign Minister Dominique de Villepin said Thursday, urging countries to take a strong united stance to stabilize Iraq.

De Villepin, whose impassioned speeches at the UN Security Council against U.S. plans to attack Iraq won him international praise, spoke at the close of two days of informal talks among foreign ministers from Europe and North Africa.

When asked whether he could envision the United States pulling out of Iraq, de Villepin responded: "Obviously, a pullout from Iraq today would be catastrophic and would absolutely not correspond to the demands of the situation."

He also said he and fellow foreign ministers favour a rapid transfer of power to the Iraqis. "We must . . . define an approach that will truly allow the Iraqis to take their destiny in hand."

more…
http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/World/2003/10/30/242104-ap.html

[Beetwasher]

1. Yeah

I'm telling you, they are going to cut and run. Villepin knows it too...

[RuB]

2. Iraq owes France billions of dollars.

With the United States in Iraq, the U.S. meaning the taxpayer is the guarantee of the repayment. The only way the U.S. leaves Iraq is if something catastrophic happens. The Arab world thinks Iraq has shamed the Arab communitee because they layed down and didn't fight when Bushie invaded. It would agenge not dismay the Arab communitee if Iraq was destroyed. Russia went down with a whimper, I'm afraid because of that scum of the Earth currently residing in the people's house, namely Bushie, the United States could go out with a bang.

[Brucey]

3. I don't know why they think that.

It's a catastrophe now. How could it get worse? The US will not leave yet. There is still some unfinished business (and I mean "business"): First the US has to squeeze as much as possible out of the national treasury for Helliburton and other Bush-supporting corporations, second US corporations have to buy all the Iraq corporations and resources at rock-bottom prices, third the US has to set up a puppet government, perhaps with rigged elections, fourth, the oil companies have to hire security forces to protect the provisional government much as Saddam was protected, and then the US can pull out many of the troops (lots will remain to protect the phony US-supported government) and declare that the Iraqi people have been liberated. Mission accomplished. It will take until about May or June to do all that. Interesting coincidence that it will be just before the election when people are deciding who to vote for.

[htuttle]

4. Don't forget Afghanistan...

Right about that same time (late 2004), I would expect the Taliban to be retaking several cities -- probably Khandahar and Jalalabad first.

That probably won't be part of Rove's plan, however...

[llmart]

6. I agree...

I've thought all along that this administration will decide to start bringing lots of the troops home around Sept/Oct next year so that the public can get all the sappy news about the heroes round the clock and Bush can be seen with his smirk on his face surrounded by them. I don't put anything past them.

[Feanorcurufinwe]

5. Les Français parlent le bon sens encore.

The critical word is 'today' - "Obviously, a pullout from Iraq today would be catastrophic and would absolutely not correspond to the demands of the situation."

We need a multinational force in before we could do any massive withdrawal.

[Vogon_Glory]

7. We're Stuck In Iraq

We're stuck in Iraq. :mad: Even if we internationalize the occupation in Iraq, I fear we're still stuck there. As the occupying power the US is obliged by international law (Something Bush and Co don't pay much attention to) to help repair the infrastructure.

Nevertheless, I remain firmly committed to seeing to it that the fools who set off this Big Sandy Adventure in Iraq should get fired for cuasing so much distraction from the war with the real enemy--al Quaeda.

[dArKeR]

8. France says attacks show Iraqis need larger role in affairs

http://www.etaiwannews.com/World/2003/11/01/1067652744.htm