Our Reliable French Ally Update. From AFP, with thanks to Kasper:
PARIS (AFP) - France and Saudi Arabia signed two military accords opening the way for the sale of weapons systems like tanks and fighter jets worth billions of dollars, the French presidency said.The deal came at the end of a three-day visit to Paris by Saudi Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz during which he held talks with French President Jacques Chirac....
"These accords signed at the highest level of the two states fix the framework of our cooperation in military matters, and as such it's a political engagement to solidify our defence partnership in these projects," French presidency spokesman Jerome Bonnafont said.
He said details of the sales would be worked out in future bilateral discussions, "notably concerning the Rafale fighter plane, surface ships, submarines and Leclerc tanks."...
Against whom will the Saudis use this materiel? Hmmmm...three guesses:
While Prince Sultan was in Paris, the Pentagon said it had informed Congress of the possible sale of US arms to Saudi Arabia worth six billion dollars.The contract centres on light armoured vehicles and Black Hawk combat helicopters.
Chirac and Prince Sultan also discussed at length the conflict in Lebanon, on which the two sides said their positions were close.
"We cannot allow Israel to continue its actions," the prince said, reaffirming his country's support for a multinational force along the Israeli-Lebanese border.
You can purchase all the military hardware you want. You still need well trained, disciplined and motivated soldiers to operate them.
Thats in short supply in most of islam, with the exception of Turkey. They have a very well armed and well trained military....
France get in line! We Americans want to sell our weapons to our Saudi "friends" first.
Come on! We sell more weapons to the "Arabians" then anyone....France just joined the club. Once again until we clean up our own act how can we attack others. We sell fighters to the Paks and we give abrams tanks to the Egyptians. In fact we arm most of the oil rich arab world!
When it comes to Dhemmi arms giving we are right up there with the Russians and Chinese.
I know it is hard not to smack a frenchmen becuase it is just so fun but lets go easy on them on this one. Lets look in the mirror.
It begins to look like Armageddon is really coming..
France, vous etes une sale pute. Ne te lave pas. Mecca arrive tout de suite! Comme un mendiant nourise sa vermine.
France you are a dirty slut. Don't wash yourself. Mecca is coming! (You are) like a beggar who nourishes his lice.
Great comment I bet Robert didn't read your post, nor any of the right wingers have taken note of it, but you are absolutely correct.. Our "conservative" governments and defense industries have made billions selling ALL muslim countries arms and munitions.. Saudi Arabia all by itself has kept Boeing and Raytheon solvent.
In Fact the US has sold more Arms (and made more profit in those sales) to Muslimn countries, than any other countries, then there is all of Europe who line up, stab each other in the back, for the opportunity to make some Muslim money.
And let's not forget Iran Contra, the sale of arms to Iran (and Iraq) by our conservative Republican administrations..