Obama set to ask visiting Sarkozy for Afghan help

[The Northerner]

Source: Associated Press

WASHINGTON — France's President Nicolas Sarkozy leaves behind a romantic sojourn in New York for an encounter he's long been waiting for: talks Tuesday with President Barack Obama in the White House.

The meeting may boil down to one question: Will Obama persuade Sarkozy to buck popular resistance and send more troops to Afghanistan?

Fortifying the international force in Afghanistan is a fresh concern for Obama after his first presidential trip to Kabul. And a key aim of Sarkozy's trip to Washington is to show that France is a firm U.S. ally in fighting terrorism, from central Asia to North Africa and beyond.

"We will remain by your side in Afghanistan," Sarkozy said in a speech at Columbia University on Monday. "In the face of terrorism, we cannot be divided."

In his no-holds-barred speech, Sarkozy criticized the U.S. health care system and scolded the U.S. for not listening closely enough to what the rest of the world has to say.

Read more: http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hk-avy_ua9wpGUC1X6jL0e0tGdhQD9EOQ6DG0

[jody]

1. "Will Obama persuade Sarkozy"? IMO most unlikely. n/t

[No Elephants]

3. So, what does

this mean?

"We will remain by your side in Afghanistan," Sarkozy said in a speech at Columbia University on Monday. "In the face of terrorism, we cannot be divided."

[jody]

4. At best a token handful of advisers. n/t

[ShortnFiery]

5. Yeah but no more troops. France's sprinkling of 3000 troops sounds like a real

viable commitment, i.e., just gives the present warmongering MIC cover.

[tekisui]

2. Clinton was rejected when she asked Canada

to stay longer. I doubt Sarkozy will send more.

The rest of the world realizes the futility and stupidity of the wars.

We'll be going it alone in a few years, and we will still be there.

[2Design]

6. why would anyone want into this mess that Russia lost a long time ago n/t

[Rapier09]

7. Sarkozy will say whatever he wants

France doesn't have the manpower,experienced soldiers and support system to fight this.

From what I understand logistics simply doesn't support soldiers fighting in the front lines;in the French army.

It is below them to actually provide radios,ammo or the right stuff to them.Often times the bean counters just want the gear in the rear and a few dead grunts....some of whom might be foreign doesn't bother them.