Is Sarkozy smarter than U.S. Intelligence?

To answer the question in the title of this post - YES!

Recently returning from a trip to the United Arab Emrites (UAE) where a deal for civilian nuclear (technology) was signed between the two countries, French President Sarkozy shows he won't be fooled by politically motivated nuclear reports from our intelligence agencies or the dupes from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)....

From Persian Journal --

The French president reiterates his stance on Iran's nuclear activities despite recent reports about the peaceful nature of the program.

"On Iran and its nuclear program, you know the position of France. Nothing which has happened changes my judgment," Nicolas Sarkozy said on Friday.

He was referring to the recent reports by the US intelligence agencies and UN nuclear watchdog both confirming that Tehran's nuclear activities are not aimed at producing nuclear weapons.

With Sarkozy in charge it looks as if the French might slowly being growing a "set."

If he keeps this up - I may have to rethink my position of sending the Statue of Liberty back to them!

Chirac Under Investigation - Again!

Former French president Jock Chirac is again under investigation on allegations of corruption while he was Mayor of Paris. This time Jock is accused of creating fake positions for the purpose of hiring his supporters.

From Al-Jazeera --

The move, which could mark the first step towards criminal charges, came after Chirac was interviewed for three hours on Wednesday by Xaviere Simeoni, the investigating judge.

Chirac's lawyer, Jean Veil, said: "Mr Chirac has been placed under judicial investigation for misappropriation of public funds, as several other people have already been in this case."

He has consistently denied any wrongdoing in a series of corruption cases dating back to his period as the capital's mayor between 1977 and 1995. More...

So that would make these people... Jock Supporters?

France cracks down on Illegal Immigrants

I am almost speechless - France is getting tough! If they keep acting like this, I might just change my mind about sending the Statue of Liberty back to them....

PARIS (AP) - A Russian boy suffers head injuries after falling from a window while trying to elude police. A North African man slips from a window ledge and fractures his leg while fleeing officers. A Chinese woman lies in a coma after plunging from a window during a police check.

As France races to deport 25,000 illegal immigrants by the end of the year—a quota set by President Nicolas Sarkozy—tensions are mounting and the crackdown is taking a toll.

But with three months left in the year, police have caught at least 11,800 immigrants, less than half the target, so Sarkozy has ordered officials to pick up the pace.

"I want numbers," Sarkozy reportedly told Brice Hortefeux, head of the Ministry of Immigration, Integration, National Identity and Co- Development, which Sarkozy set up after taking office in May. "This is a campaign commitment. The French expect (action) on this."

The president, who cultivated a tough-on-crime image while serving as Interior Minister, says France needs a new kind of immigrant—one who is "selected, not endured." More....

Let's hope he comes and explains "selected, not endured," to President Bush and the rest of the border blurring politicians!

France Protests UN over Iranian Nuke Program

Well this has not happened in a long time! France, finally getting a set of balls, is taking sides with the United States over the useless U.N., on the Iranian Nuke Program.

If they keep acting like this, I will have to change my tag line.

From Iran Focus --

France will add its voice to protests by the United States over UN nuclear chief Mohamed ElBaradei's comments that Iran should be allowed to keep some uranium enrichment, officials said Wednesday.

"Our permanent representative in Vienna will join the American initiative," said a foreign ministry spokesman. "We share, along with several other partners, the substance of the concerns expressed by our American partners."

The United States is seeking to protest directly to ElBaradei for saying in recent newspaper interviews that Iran should be allowed to keep some uranium enrichment, diplomats said in Vienna, the headquarters of International Atomic Energy Agency.

"France continues to support the process undertaken by the (UN) Security Council, including insisting on suspension (of uranium enrichment) and, if there is no suspension, sanctions," said France's foreign ministry spokesman. More.....

Taliban demand French withdrawal

I wonder if the current elections in France had anything to do with this kidnapping?

Almost a no brainer to pick on the biggest sissy of a country and try to influence the elections of a spineless mass of people. You can bet if France had a Reagan like candidate, they would know how to deal with hostages and elections.

But since bravery is not in the French vocabulary, these poor saps don't have a chance. The Taliban terrorists will soon be playing soccer with their heads!

From Al Jazeera --

Taliban fighters who say they abducted two French aid workers and three Afghans earlier this month have demanded all French troops withdraw from Afghanistan in one week.

Earlier in the week, the French nationals had appealed to their government to comply with the demand saying that they feared they would be killed soon.

In a statement posted on a website, the group also said they wanted immediate talks with the Afghan government to negotiate the release of Taliban prisoners. "In case of refusal action will be taken against them [the hostages] promptly," the statement said. Whole Story

Jock Chirac Threatens U.S. with Tax

Chirac warns U.S. of import carbon tax

February 11, 2007
UPI

PARIS (UPI) -- French President Jacques Chirac said Europe will impose a carbon tax on U.S. imports if the United States doesn't sign on to the Kyoto environmental protocol.

"A carbon tax is inevitable," Chirac told The New York Times. "If it is European, and I believe it will be European, then it will all the same have a certain influence because it means that all the countries that do not accept the minimum obligations will be obliged to pay."

Chirac praised U.S. President George Bush's State of the Union address last week for acknowledging climate change was a "serious challenge" but said import taxes remained an option for any countries not in the Kyodo protocol, or its successor when Kyoto expires in 2012.

The European Union is the largest export market for U.S. goods. Some EU trade lawyers studying the carbon tax issue have expressed doubts about its legality, as it would conflict with some existing international trade rules, the report said.

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I think it is sort of funny that France will talk tough to the United States. It's like talking tough to a guy that stronger and yo KNOW he won't kick your ass.

Can't believe Jock Chirac is going to play holier than thou on the Kyoto accords when the blood of our soldiers is on his hands from the corrupt UN Food for Oil program.

TRY and tax us? Does this man not remember how the revolutionary war started?

We should drag the statue of liberty back to them and tell them to stick it up their wimpy french A**!

I am not even close to an economist or a trade expert, but if France imposes a tax on American goods, won't that hurt them more than us?

KING