France sending frigate to survey Gaza arms

[Adsos Letter]

Source: AP/LasVegasSun
The Associated Press
Fri, Jan 23, 2009 (1:30 p.m.)

French President Nicolas Sarkozy on Friday ordered a frigate deployed immediately to the waters off Gaza in an effort to fight arms smuggling and consolidate a fragile cease-fire.

A statement by Sarkozy's office said he is asking that a helicopter-carrier be sent to international waters off Gaza "in full cooperation with Egypt and Israel."

He ordered Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner to immediately "coordinate closely" with the United States and Europe to propose other ways to fight arms smuggling on land and at sea.

With a fragile cease-fire in place and Israeli forces now out of Gaza, the "the urgency now is to consolidate the cease-fire through humanitarian action, a total end of arms trafficking to Gaza, the reopening of passages, reconstruction and inter-Palestinian reconciliation," the statement said.

Sarkozy traveled twice to the region to help put together a cease-fire in an initiative with Egypt between Israel and the militant Hamas movement which rules the Gaza Strip.

Israel opened an offensive Dec. 27 to try to stop Hamas rocket attacks. Nearly 1,300 people, mostly civilians, were killed before the cease-fire took effect Sunday.

Israel says Hamas procures weapons through passages and tunnels to Gaza. The statement by Sarkozy's office said the French measures have a double objective: to ensure Israel's security and alleviate the suffering of thee Palestinians.

http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2009/jan/23/france-sending-frigate-to-survey-gaza-arms/

[azurnoir]

1. I'll bet Israel is grateful

they are so appreciative of foreign interfer assistance

[bemildred]

2. You can tell Sarko really wants to play too. nt

[azurnoir]

3. Oh lots of folks want in on this one n/t

[Alamuti Lotus]

5. I'm sure 'Mr. Bruni's' motives are pure

Amidst a parade of "hey, let's pretend we all still matter!"..

[Alamuti Lotus]

4. Why *shouldn't* Gazans be armed?

Their neighbors (to the West and North) have shown a prolific proclivity towards stomping around and trashing the place, why shouldn't they have the means to defend themselves?

:popcorn: