Report: Iraq strengthens air force with French parts
 

"France now has an estimated $4 billion in debts owed to it by Iraq as a result of arms sales and infrastructure construction projects. The debt is another reason U.S. officials believe France is opposing military force to oust Saddam."

http://www.washtimes.com/national/20030307-545570.htm

Precisely! That is the real reason France has objected to this war. Chirac realises that Iraq would never be able to repay the debt if they get engage in a war. Another example of a politician playing the altruistic card.

But............what if there is a war. Who do you think will change sides 'again' (groan) and demand that the $4bn it is owed must be repaid from the re-born Iraq?? If he is ignored he will think of something else to be a pain in the bum about no doubt.

Then of course there is Schroeder! :eek:

The French would do well to remember where they would be without the UK and US:mad:

As LBJ said, when asked by La Frog as they departed the mil element of NATO in the 60's, and was asked 'to remove ALL US Soldiers from Frog soil forthwith and immediatement',

LBJ telexed back:

'Would that include the dead ones?'

Heard this one today not sure if it is authentic, but I hope it is.

Donald Rumsfeld
:p :p :p

Me thinks the American debt to Lafayette is paid in full.