France, Lebanon to deploy to border with Israel

[Scurrilous]

Prime Minister Ehud Olmert meets with US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice at his Jerusalem residence Saturday night; Rice reveals initial plans for international peacekeeping force: France, Lebanese army to take part, and will also guard Syria-Lebanon border. Leaders agree diplomatic agreement dependant on release of kidnapped soldiers

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3283247,00.html

<snip>

"The French and Lebanese armies will take part in the multinational peacekeeping force expected to take position along the southern Lebanese border, it was revealed following a meeting between US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Prime Minister Ehud Olmert in Jerusalem.

The two met at the Prime Minister’s official residence in Jerusalem late Saturday night for nearly two hours, most of which was spent in one-on-one talks."

<snip>

"Regarding the establishment of a multinational peacekeeping force, the conditions for its establishment, the length of its mandate and its responsibilities were not yet finalized, although Rice expressed optimism that it would be set up very soon.

Olmert and Rice did not discuss the size of multinational peacekeeping force to be established. Likewise, the question of which countries, other than France and Lebanon, would partake in the force was not confronted.

However, Rice did note that the Lebanese and French armies would deploy along the Syrian-Lebanese border to the east, as well as along the southern border with Israel."

[skooooo]

1. The frog cavalry!

Hope it works.

[Redstone]

3. How nice. Let's insult the French. Just like freepers do.

Redstone

[NYC]

16. French scuba divers during WW2 were called frogs.

That's what I was told when I was a child. It was a compliment regarding their skill at scuba diving.

Here's the only thing I found on the internet:

The term FROGS was used in World War II. The French were experienced scuba divers. They were used in such tasks as searching for mines and attaching explosives to the bottom of ships and bridges, all very dangerous tasks.

http://www.padkos.net/2005/09/

[PurityOfEssence]

19. The term dates from at least the Napoleonic Wars

Personally, I hate the abuse heaped upon the French military, too: they're some of the best fighters in the world and have an exemplary record. Their current forces are great, and their equipment is pretty damned good. They held 80% of the Western Front in World War 1, and Hitler himself--who should have known, fighting against them for almost all of the war--called them the best soldiers in Europe.

They lost when they first encountered the Germans in World War 2, but so did the British, the Russians and the United States. (Hell, Kasserine Pass was three years and five months after the Poles got stomped by their combined-arms tactics, and we were given the same lesson.)

The best militaries on earth today are (not including the U.S.): the Israelis, the British and the French. How Russia sorts out after all that upheaval and how Germany and China can do without any track records muddies the waters, but we're not the only operation in town.

Conservatives hate them for going their own way, and they show their deep, deep ignorance for not knowing their history. The "cheese eating surrender monkeys" epithet is thrown by only the truly stupid. They had their Dien Bien Phu, but we had an even greater humiliation in Vietnam, whether anyone wants to admit it or not.

The first references I know of of the use of "frogs" is from sailors in the British Navy during the Napoleonic Wars.

Hmmmm...maybe it's time for an etymological check...

[Redstone]

23. You can't talk to some people, but thanks for trying. Did you know that

during the Napoleonic wars, the French called the British soldiers "Goddamns?" I've always thought that was hilarious.

Anyway, you did try. Anyone who seriously claims to not know that "frogs" is a derogatory term is either lying or really stupid.

Redstone

[NYC]

26. I never said I didn't know that so you needn't call me a liar

or really stupid.

I was pointing out that it was not always a derogatory term. Is there a reason for your nastiness?

You wrote:

You can't talk to some people, but thanks for trying. Did you know that
Posted by Redstone


during the Napoleonic wars, the French called the British soldiers "Goddamns?" I've always thought that was hilarious.

Anyway, you did try. Anyone who seriously claims to not know that "frogs" is a derogatory term is either lying or really stupid.

Redstone

[2020]

33. Many thanks for posting this, POE.

I love the French independence and happen to think they have, on balance, a damn fine country and culture. Never knew 'till now the true story of their military valiance.

[PurityOfEssence]

35. The French "get" life

Much of the knee-jerk hatred of our Gallic friends comes from the inherent inferiority complex of this country's mentality. We're bumpkins, and there are so many asshole males who violently resent the women in their lives for wanting French cologne, food, clothing and other fineries that remind them of their uncouth nature.

We're a country of people who "got away", and as such, our collective mentality is one of the worship of the individual and the dreams of getting away with something. The French revel in their human reality: they're a bit untidy, understand extramarital dalliances, enjoy a good laugh, and aren't afraid to address the dark side of life. American conservatives hate all of this.

Conservative American males HATE the French because they feel inferior. Well they should; they are.

[Redstone]

22. So, on the WHOLE fucking Internet, you didn't find ONE REFERENCE

to the word "frog" being used disparagingly in regard to French people?

God, spare me from people like this.

Redstone

[NYC]

25. I was looking for the explanation I had heard as a child.

What are you talking about?

[Redstone]

28. I give up.

Redstone

[LostinVA]

30. The term is way older than that, and is derogatory n/t

[Cha]

34. That's interesting! I always

thought it was because they ate "frogs". Like English were called "Limeys" because of the whole eating citrus on the ships to prevent scurvey thing. And Germans, "Krauts"..always with the eating. Guess we should be called "Hot Dogs".

[skooooo]

32. Wow let's be overly sensitive..

...without a sense of humor.

[panader0]

2. remember "Freedom fries"?

The RWers despised the French for not backing the invasion of Iraq. Now they must see that the French are picking their positions alot more wisely than bush. Maybe they can eat french fries again.

[Fredda Weinberg]

4. keeping fingers crossed n/t

[bemildred]

5. I'm just wondering in the French and Lebanese know about this yet. nt

[uppityperson]

6. Kick for peacekeepers

OMG I thought they were going to start fighting each other when I read the headline.

[Olney Blue]

7. But did she play the piano?

[tocqueville]

8. France nixed the proposal unless cease-fire

French President Jacques Chirac's office said in a statement on Saturday that it would not deploy its troops until a cease-fire has been reached. "The agreement between the sides is a precondition for the entry of a multinational force in south Lebanon," read the statement.


http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/744083.html

[bemildred]

11. Thanks. That's what turkey said too.

We still seem to have the "first you release the hostages" condition, too, now that I think about it.

[joemurphy]

9. My only concern is what a Lebanese deployment might mean.

I'm pleased and amazed that the French are willing to deploy (assuming they really are so disposed). But a Lebanese deployment baffles me. This puts the Lebanese army potentially squarely in the way of Hezbollah. My fear is it might mean civil war again in Lebanon.

[Igel]

17. Yes, it might.

That would certainly put a wrinkle in Hezbollah's image, wouldn't it?

Siniora still fears civil war with Hezbollah and subsequent defeat than he does what Israel's doing to Lebanon.

Says something, doesn't it?

I don't know that Hezb, Siniora/Lahoud, or Israel will accept the deal.

[joemurphy]

21. We'll see, I guess. I'm skeptical. Memories of Lebanon's

last civil war linger. It was a horrible thing.

[daleo]

10. I remember the French getting hit in Lebanon in the 80's

I guess something has to be done to separate the warring sides, but I would hate to be in their shoes.

[Igel]

18. Yes, Hezb killed

50+ of their guys.

And never said 'oops'.

[Redstone]

24. No more than they said "oops" for killing 241 of ours.

What wonderful people.

Redstone

[whistle]

12. Saturday evening in Israel began 6-7 hours ago, are they still in

...session? Any word as to PM Olmert's reaction to this proposal? I believe that Condi's instructions from Dick Cheney were to torpedo the proposal and keep Israel on the attack. There will be no cease-fire as of yet and BushCo won't allow one.

[Scurrilous]

15. I'm sure Condi is soundly asleep by now...

...tomorrow she has to travel to Beirut.


http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/744083.html

"Rice met with Prime Minister Ehud Olmert Saturday night in private. She will depart for Lebanon Sunday and will decide following meetings there whether to return to Israel for more talks."

<snip>

"Rice did not ask Olmert during their meeting to end the fighting at this stage, but it is assumed at the Defense Ministry that the IDF has 7 to 10 days to continue its operation in Lebanon.

By Wednesday the U.S. would like to gain approval for a new Security Council resolution that will call for an end to hostilities.

Israel sources estimate the U.S. will allow a few more days for mopping up operations by the IDF.

Defense sources said that in view of Rice's return to Israel, it appears that for the first time since the start of the war, the "diplomatic clock" is beginning to tick faster."

[gorbal]

13. I just find myself wanting her to succeed right now

Perhaps this will convince Israel to call a ceasefire if it will bring more countries in to help stabilize the situation.

[MnFats]

14. ask anybody who fought alongside the French in Afghanistan.

they are some of the toughest m*****rf****s in the world and don't deserve to be dissed because they saw Bush's Iraq scheme as a terrible misadventure....which, of course, it is.

[bemildred]

20. Syria denounces call for international Lebanon force

DAMASCUS - Syria on Saturday slammed international proposals for the deployment of a multinational force in southern Lebanon as “an occupation force” that would do Israel’s job.

“The international force proposed by (US Secretary of State) Condoleezza Rice... will occupy southern Lebanon and it, instead of Israel, will be charged with eradicating the Lebanese national resistance,” said an editorial in the official Tishrin daily.

Rice is due in Israel later Saturday to discuss the possible deployment of multinational troops as part of plans to try to end Israel’s deadly offensive against Lebanon, now in its 18th day.

Syria and Iran both support Lebanon’s Shiite Muslim Hezbollah group, whose capture of two Israeli soldiers on July 12 sparked Israel’s assault.

http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArticleNew.asp?col=§ion=middleeast&xfile=data/middleeast/2006/July/middleeast_July697.xml

[oberliner]

27. What is the Syrian proposal? nt

[bemildred]

31. For what? nt

[oberliner]

36. after a cease fire and withdrawal

Have they made a proposal as to what entity should be in charge of securing Lebanon's border with Israel?

[Scurrilous]

29. So much for that....

Rice unwelcome before ceasefire: Lebanon

<snip>

"Lebanon told U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice on Sunday that it could not meet with her before a ceasefire ends a 19-day-old Israeli offensive, Lebanese officials said.

The officials said Rice, who was due in Beirut later on Sunday, was informed of the Lebanese position after an Israeli airstrike killed more than 40 civilians in south Lebanon.

They said Rice's visit to Beirut has been canceled."

http://today.reuters.com/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=worldNews&storyID=2006-07-30T082202Z_01_L30612905_RTRUKOC_0_US-MIDEAST-LEBANON-RICE.xml