la France n'enverra pas un soldat de plus

In an interview with le Figaro, Nicolas Sarkozy confirmed that France will not be sending any more soldiers to Afghanistan. This statement comes in spite of the repeated demands for reinforcements.

"Must we stay in Afghanistan? I respond, yes. And stay to win," indicated le Président. In his eyes, the answer lies not in more allied troop manpower, but in "more afghan soldiers." Sarkozy continued, "it will be them who will mostly efficiently win this war, because it is their country."

This statement comes at a time when US President, Barack Obama, is considering sending even more American troops into the country. It seems unlikely that any allies wishing to end this war soon will be pleased with the comments.

-david

New light shed on the mysterious disappearance of French WWII pilot

On July 31st, 1944 French reconnaissance pilot Antoine de Saint-Exupéry took off from an airstrip on Corsica, but he never returned and was never heard from again. Since then, his disappearance has become as mysterious as that of Amelia Earhart. Recently though, some amateur archaeologists seem to have been able to piece together what happened to this French pilot.

For more on this solved mystery:
NY Times: Clues to the Mystery of a Writer Pilot Who Disappeared

Sarkozy will send 800 soldiers to Afghanistan

President Sarkozy recently confirmed a plan to send 800 French soldiers to Afghanistan to reinforce the French contingent already stationed in Kabul. This contingent consists of about 1,700 soldiers including pilots, troops and other matériels.



For more on the French presence in Afghanistan:
Le Figaro: Afghanistan : plus de 800 soldats français en renfort