Author Topic: Are the French looking for the next Iraq? (Read 1572 times)

muckmaw · « **on:** March 19, 2004, 11:41:51 AM »

http://www.washingtontimes.com/upi-breaking/20040316-012405-1741r.htm

China, France begin naval exercises

BEIJING, March 16 (UPI) -- China and France began five days of joint exercises off the northern Chinese coast Tuesday, prompting Taiwan to claim it was a threatening show of force.

France is also lobbying EU countries to drop the 15-year-old embargo on arms sales to China, imposed after the brutal 1989 suppression of pro-democracy demonstrators, the Financial Times said.

The exercises involve staging search and rescue missions, refueling exercises and tactical helicopter exchanges.

On the diplomatic front, France angered Taiwan recently by strongly condemning President Chen Shui-bian's plan to hold a referendum on missile defense as part of this coming Saturday's election, prompting Taipei to suspend top-level ties with Paris.

Taipei-based defense analyst Andrew Yang played down the significance of the exercise's proximity to the Taiwan elections, saying the drills were similar to those conducted recently by the Chinese navy with the fleets of India and Pakistan.

"It does not have direct implications for the situation in Taiwan," said Yang, who said it was more a reflection of China's determination to forge ties with foreign fleets.

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ra · « **Reply #1 on:** March 19, 2004, 11:48:18 AM »

France has no interest in making money from arms sales. They just want to help China protect its sovereignty from the US, which has become a dangerous hegomonic hyperpower and a threat to world peace.

muckmaw · « **Reply #2 on:** March 19, 2004, 11:52:23 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by ra
France has no interest in making money from arms sales. They just want to help China protect its sovereignty from the US, which has become a dangerous hegomonic hyperpower and a threat to world peace.

Where's the little smiley thing that says your kidding....please tell me your kidding...

Charon · « **Reply #3 on:** March 19, 2004, 11:57:15 AM »

Frankly, if France wants to be a weapon systems producer they have to find markets of this type. The US can underwrite its programs with a huge military/volume cost reductions and GDP -- other countries can't. The need for France to have a homegrown military industrial complex can certainly be debated. And, obviously, this is not a stabilizing development by any means.

By the same token, we may not sell China arms but we sure don't have much of a problem dealing with them in other economic sectors. The consumer market is too appealing, unlike Cuba where it's easy to be tough on repression. True under Clinton, true under Bush. Not just using China as a mfg/labor source either, but joint ventures that make existing Chinese companies more competitive in non-centrally controlled markets.

The wisdom of exactly what we get in return is questionable, IMO. I've talked to several people involved at senior levels with some of these joint ventures, and off the record they tended to doubt if we will ever see China as an "open" market for Western companies. IMO, they'll learn what they can, then do it themselves.

Charon

Nilsen · « **Reply #4 on:** March 19, 2004, 12:21:14 PM »

I see no problem with France selling conventional weapons to China.

Charon also has a some good points.

lasersailor184 · « **Reply #5 on:** March 19, 2004, 01:01:23 PM »

Lol, I have no problem with france selling China weapons.

We all know the kind of quality that comes out france, things like...

Um...

Nilsen · « **Reply #6 on:** March 19, 2004, 01:09:41 PM »

like.....

Mirages, Rafales, exocet, nuke subs, leclerc, cortale, eryx, mica, VBCI, charles de gaulle, la fayette,(tiger, horizon, nh90 and a400m partly) etc...etc

MrLars · « **Reply #7 on:** March 19, 2004, 01:10:08 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by lasersailor184
Lol, I have no problem with france selling China weapons.

We all know the kind of quality that comes out france, things like...

Um...

This!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chauchat

lasersailor184 · « **Reply #8 on:** March 19, 2004, 01:11:36 PM »

Nilsen, we are talking about quality stuff that france produces, not crappy stuff...

Nilsen · « **Reply #9 on:** March 19, 2004, 01:12:16 PM »

yeah, and your point is?

lasersailor184 · « **Reply #10 on:** March 19, 2004, 01:13:00 PM »

Well, we're looking for quality stuff that france produces. We don't need a list of crap that they produce...

Nilsen · « **Reply #11 on:** March 19, 2004, 01:14:10 PM »

and just what have i listed that is crap?

Torque · « **Reply #12 on:** March 19, 2004, 01:25:05 PM »

Some countries even display their crap on islands, imagine that.

Nilsen · « **Reply #13 on:** March 19, 2004, 01:28:36 PM »

lol, i actuallly forgot the only french weapon i have actually used..the mistral. Very good missile and it hits every time if the guy shooting it is awake and focused

i actually did not get that Torque, could you explain pls (havent had my nap today)

straffo · « **Reply #14 on:** March 19, 2004, 01:59:47 PM »

At least in France we don't produce crappy moronic teenagers posting stupid moronic(*) coment in a BBS...

errr wait ... they just don't post here

(*) I know it's a repetition thanks.