Mali conflict: Timbuktu hails French President Hollande

Page 1 of 2 [ 23 posts ] Go to page 1, 2 Next

Joined: 25 Feb 2006
Age: 38
Gender: Male
Posts: 28,897
Location: Lancashire, UK

02 Feb 2013, 6:28 am

Quote:

Mali conflict: Timbuktu hails French President Hollande

France's president is visiting Mali, three weeks after French-led troops launched an offensive to oust Islamist rebels from the country's north.

Francois Hollande was welcomed by dignitaries and residents in Timbuktu, six days after the city was recaptured.

He is expected to thank the French soldiers and stress the need for an African force to replace them swiftly.

Sticks in my craw a bit to have to salute a government that has prepared a 75% tax for French entrepreneurs, but credit where it's due.

Liberté, égalité, fraternité! Vive la France!

lotuspuppy
Veteran
Veteran

Joined: 14 Jan 2008
Age: 37
Gender: Male
Posts: 995
Location: On a journey to the center of the mind

02 Feb 2013, 1:34 pm

I'm just thankful there's a conflict somewhere the U.S. is NOT involved in. As a taxpayer, we spend way too much blood and treasure intervening in what are basically tribal fights.

Speaking of which, I haven't heard what the French think of their own intervention. I know in the past the French have thought of West Africa as their near abroad, but I wonder if the people feel it is time to reassess that relationship.

Tequila
Veteran
Veteran

Joined: 25 Feb 2006
Age: 38
Gender: Male
Posts: 28,897
Location: Lancashire, UK

02 Feb 2013, 3:31 pm

lotuspuppy wrote:

Speaking of which, I haven't heard what the French think of their own intervention. I know in the past the French have thought of West Africa as their near abroad, but I wonder if the people feel it is time to reassess that relationship.

I'm not sure they do. They've been successful, they've helped out their mates and they get to kick Islamists whilst they're at it (which is something that many French would be quite keen on, I believe - people after my own heart). Sounds like good deeds all round, really.

thomas81
Veteran
Veteran

Joined: 2 May 2012
Age: 45
Gender: Male
Posts: 5,147
Location: County Down, Northern Ireland

02 Feb 2013, 5:32 pm

my understanding is that the rebels want independence for the north or 'Azawad'. I may be ignorant about Mali politics but so far i have read or heard nothing that makes this an unreasonable goal.

The presence of gold in the region probably has more to do with NATO's sudden interest than anything else.

_________________
Being 'normal' is over rated.

My deviant art profile

Tequila
Veteran
Veteran

Joined: 25 Feb 2006
Age: 38
Gender: Male
Posts: 28,897
Location: Lancashire, UK

02 Feb 2013, 5:35 pm

thomas81 wrote:

my understanding is that the rebels want independence for the north or 'Azawad'.

Perhaps you might want to talk to the people of Timbuktu and other areas, where the Islamists have been chopping off people's limbs and generally subjecting people there to a reign of terror.

thomas81
Veteran
Veteran

Joined: 2 May 2012
Age: 45
Gender: Male
Posts: 5,147
Location: County Down, Northern Ireland

02 Feb 2013, 5:49 pm

Tequila wrote:

thomas81 wrote:

my understanding is that the rebels want independence for the north or 'Azawad'.

Perhaps you might want to talk to the people of Timbuktu and other areas, where the Islamists have been chopping off people's limbs and generally subjecting people there to a reign of terror.

Its a moot point if French/British involvement is merely another false flag operation to rob the nation of its natural wealth just like in Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya or [Pick theatre of conflict].

Monsieur Hollande may make the right noises domestically, but I am expecting him to 'do a Tony Blair' any time. I suspect this is it.

_________________
Being 'normal' is over rated.

My deviant art profile

Tequila
Veteran
Veteran

Joined: 25 Feb 2006
Age: 38
Gender: Male
Posts: 28,897
Location: Lancashire, UK

02 Feb 2013, 5:50 pm

thomas81 wrote:

Its a moot point if French/British involvement is merely another false flag operation to rob the nation of its natural wealth just like in Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya or [Pick theatre of conflict].

I'm not sure this is exactly true in this situation. And, no, I was against the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, and the Libya intervention.

In general, if there isn't a clear desire for the population of the country you're liberating for your assistance, leave them to it. No matter how many of them might be killed.

thomas81
Veteran
Veteran

Joined: 2 May 2012
Age: 45
Gender: Male
Posts: 5,147
Location: County Down, Northern Ireland

02 Feb 2013, 6:04 pm

Most of the images I am seeing on my TV are of French flag waving South Malians. If the Azawadans want their own nation, they should leave them to it.

Same goes for the conflict between the North Philippines and Mindinao. It would be nice if Europe's first question is "can we liberate the north malians from an oppressive theocracy". Its not however. Its "how many mining contracts can we get here". Whatever the motives it isnt worth yet more French or British working class lives.

_________________
Being 'normal' is over rated.

My deviant art profile

lotuspuppy
Veteran
Veteran

Joined: 14 Jan 2008
Age: 37
Gender: Male
Posts: 995
Location: On a journey to the center of the mind

02 Feb 2013, 6:32 pm

thomas81 wrote:

I may be wrong, but I suspect the first question Paris and the AU had is "how can we make sure Mali does not become an Afghan style al-Qaeda fiefdom?" Of course, the French will leave soon, and leave it up to AU troops to figure out the answer.

thomas81
Veteran
Veteran

Joined: 2 May 2012
Age: 45
Gender: Male
Posts: 5,147
Location: County Down, Northern Ireland

02 Feb 2013, 6:44 pm

lotuspuppy wrote:

thomas81 wrote:

second question should have been "even if that happens, does this affect French citizens"?

I know for a fact the Taliban is not a threat to me or anyone I care about, yet British blood continues to spill on afghan soil for some mystery unbeknownst reason.

Moreover Al quaeda is not a conventional army that can be defeated by invading countries. It is a global hivemind that can re manifest anywhere on earth more quickly than its individual components can be taken out. That is why these incursions by NATO are a fool's errand.

_________________
Being 'normal' is over rated.

My deviant art profile

lotuspuppy
Veteran
Veteran

Joined: 14 Jan 2008
Age: 37
Gender: Male
Posts: 995
Location: On a journey to the center of the mind

03 Feb 2013, 12:09 am

thomas81 wrote:

lotuspuppy wrote:

thomas81 wrote:

Maybe, but as I previously argued, France considers Mali it's near abroad, irrespective of any actual or perceived geopolitical importance. I think this is a vestige of France's days as a colonial power.

Tequila
Veteran
Veteran

Joined: 25 Feb 2006
Age: 38
Gender: Male
Posts: 28,897
Location: Lancashire, UK

03 Feb 2013, 12:21 am

thomas81 wrote:

I know for a fact the Taliban is not a threat to me or anyone I care about

So they're perfectly alright then.

They're still a worry, though - particularly as that ideology threatens to take root in UK society.

It's always worth keeping an eye on worldwide ideologies or dangerous ones near you to make sure they don't become a serious threat in your own country.

thomas81
Veteran
Veteran

Joined: 2 May 2012
Age: 45
Gender: Male
Posts: 5,147
Location: County Down, Northern Ireland

03 Feb 2013, 12:05 pm

Tequila wrote:

They're still a worry, though - particularly as that ideology threatens to take root in UK society.

Sure, i forgot that the Taliban did quite well in the last general election.

Tequila wrote:

It's always worth keeping an eye on worldwide ideologies or dangerous ones near you to make sure they don't become a serious threat in your own country.

by what margin is afghanistan 'near' the UK?

:scratch:

_________________
Being 'normal' is over rated.

My deviant art profile

Tequila
Veteran
Veteran

Joined: 25 Feb 2006
Age: 38
Gender: Male
Posts: 28,897
Location: Lancashire, UK

03 Feb 2013, 12:07 pm

thomas81 wrote:

Sure, i forgot that the Taliban did quite well in the last general election.

The Taliban specifically hasn't, but extremist Islamist ideology (which is largely the same between Hamas, Hezbollah, Al-Qaeda, the Taliban and others and the supporters of such in the UK etc) has.

thomas81 wrote:

by what margin is afghanistan 'near' the UK?

It isn't; and I favour withdrawal.

thomas81
Veteran
Veteran

Joined: 2 May 2012
Age: 45
Gender: Male
Posts: 5,147
Location: County Down, Northern Ireland

03 Feb 2013, 12:12 pm

Tequila wrote:

The Taliban specifically hasn't, but extremist Islamist ideology (which is largely the same between Hamas, Hezbollah, Al-Qaeda, the Taliban and others and the supporters of such in the UK etc) has.

sorry, which party that espouses political islam has done well in the UK elections?

_________________
Being 'normal' is over rated.

My deviant art profile

Tequila
Veteran
Veteran

Joined: 25 Feb 2006
Age: 38
Gender: Male
Posts: 28,897
Location: Lancashire, UK

03 Feb 2013, 12:33 pm

thomas81 wrote:

sorry, which party that espouses political islam has done well in the UK elections?

There hasn't been a specific party that has done that. Bona-fide Islamist parties aren't voted for specifically. The nearest one could suggest is the likes of the very Islam-friendly RESPECT and their very deliberate targeting of Muslim constituencies using anti-Israel and Islamic rhetoric and also some of the entryist tactics of the Islamists who have taken over or otherwise infiltrated local branches of the - usually - Labour or Lib Dem parties.

Page 1 of 2 [ 23 posts ] Go to page 1, 2 Next

Jump to:

Mali conflict: Timbuktu hails French President Hollande Post Reply New Topic

Mali conflict: Timbuktu hails French President Hollande