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Important points.

And why I want Finland to stay the frick out of it.

You can't be me, I'm taken

by Sven Triloqvist on Thu Jan 17th, 2008 at 04:13:13 PM EST
[ Parent ]
by Frank Schnittger (mail Frankschnittger at hot male dotty communists) on Thu Jan 17th, 2008 at 06:22:51 PM EST
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and Austria
by generic on Thu Jan 17th, 2008 at 06:35:54 PM EST
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And France !

Un roi sans divertissement est un homme plein de misères
by linca (antonin POINT lucas AROBASE gmail.com) on Thu Jan 17th, 2008 at 09:00:57 PM EST
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Linca,

I doubt France would want to leave NATO in that they hold a most advantageous position vis a vis the rest, US included, i.e., France holds a "joker", she is an "insider" but a very independent one.

If you like, they've got it extremely good both ways so why leave? (Actually, this is one of the bones of contention by US delegation -- France has the vote, the "veto" power in NATO but is independent to do as she pleases when she feels like it. Pretty great position to be in, don't you think?

by The3rdColumn on Thu Jan 17th, 2008 at 09:11:18 PM EST
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It's more that I am against France joining the less independent inner group, which Sarkozy is hoping to do.

Un roi sans divertissement est un homme plein de misères
by linca (antonin POINT lucas AROBASE gmail.com) on Fri Jan 18th, 2008 at 07:39:46 AM EST
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Linca,

Re: "joining the less independent inner group, which Sarkozy is hoping to do."

Care to expound? Thanks.

by The3rdColumn on Fri Jan 18th, 2008 at 11:34:46 AM EST
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Sarkozy has aired to idea of joining the NATO operational command or some similar instution, i.e. giving up the "one foot in, one foot out" status of France.

Un roi sans divertissement est un homme plein de misères
by linca (antonin POINT lucas AROBASE gmail.com) on Fri Jan 18th, 2008 at 12:31:52 PM EST
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linca,

I heard about that. Know for a fact that some delegates were 'ecstatic' about it, ie, US delegates, but there's huge scepticism here that he would push through with the idea.

by The3rdColumn on Fri Jan 18th, 2008 at 12:36:40 PM EST
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Linca,
Sarkozy has manifested the desire of integrating France to NATO's operational command, while still keeping its independence with regard to U.S. command.
In my view, this is quite a contradictory statement and I can hardly see how it could be implemented in practice: the U.S. are not ready to grant such flexibility and I doubt other member states will dutifully embrace the move...
Ed.
by Eddie on Sun Jan 20th, 2008 at 01:06:00 AM EST
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I'm for Russia joining.
by vladimir on Fri Jan 18th, 2008 at 07:01:52 AM EST
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