This story from Fox News:
Countries Pledge 3,500 Troops to U.N. for Lebanon Peacekeeping Force
Friday, August 18, 2006
UNITED NATIONS — The United Nations got pledges Thursday of 3,500 troops for an expanded U.N. peacekeeping force in Lebanon, but it was unclear whether the soldiers represented the right mix of countries and units and could deploy very quickly.
Bangladesh made the largest offer of up to 2,000 troops but France offered just 400, a disappointment to some who expected more from the country likely to lead the force.
After displaying all that diplomatic initiative and grabbing headlines, when it comes to doing the real work in Lebanon – with boots on the ground – France offers a force smaller than the Des Moines, Iowa, Police Department (483 total employees) and probably less effective. And "some" are "disappointed"? To be disappointed, one must have unmet expectations. Did anyone really expect France to follow their words with meaningful actions in defense of Israel, a Western-style country and fellow UN-member state?
The ghosts of the 90,000 French Jews killed during the Holocaust have seen it all before….
– Ken
