# Did anyone else see the report about French involvement this morning? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [March 19, 2003, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-anyone-else-see-the-report-about-french-involvement-this-morning/162437 "2003-03-19T03:06:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![DEVA](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7cd45c/32.png) [@DEVA](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DEVA)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2003, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-anyone-else-see-the-report-about-french-involvement-this-morning/162437/1 "2003-03-19T03:06:30Z")
I was watching CNN this morning (Paula Zahn) and she reported on a supposed quote from the French Ambassador to the US. Apparently, this person said (off-camera) that France will definitely ‘back’ the U.S. with their military in the event that Saddam uses chemical or biological weapons. Not an exact quote, but the sentiment is the same. Last I heard, the above statement could not be confirmed true…yet CNN reported on it. Now, my intention is not to debate whether or not CNN is a credible news source. Just wondering if anyone heard any further (more accurate) info on this story. Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![Cillasi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/71e660/32.png) [@Cillasi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cillasi)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2003, 3:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-anyone-else-see-the-report-about-french-involvement-this-morning/162437/2 "2003-03-19T03:15:33Z")
I also read that France said they would join in IF Iraq used weapons of mass destruction in the coming conflict. I guess that would serve as proof that Saddam hasn’t really disarmed. I’ve also heard that even though France has refused to help plant the wheat, harvest it, grind it, knead the dough or bake bread, they are demanding to sit at table and eat it when it’s done. In other words, they want to play a major role in the post-war occupation and reconstruction of Iraq. ---
**Author:** ![Duck\_Duck\_Goose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/50afbb/32.png) [@Duck\_Duck\_Goose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duck_Duck_Goose)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2003, 3:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-anyone-else-see-the-report-about-french-involvement-this-morning/162437/3 "2003-03-19T03:23:16Z")
GoogleNews is your friend. 😃 [http://www.dailytelegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2003/03/19/wun19.xml&sSheet=/news/2003/03/19/ixnewstop.html](http://www.dailytelegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2003/03/19/wun19.xml&sSheet=/news/2003/03/19/ixnewstop.html) > [@](#): > > France offers aid to troops in event of bio-attack > By Anton La Guardia, Diplomatic Editor > (Filed: 19/03/2003) > > \< snip \> > > Within hours of issuing this criticism, his senior diplomats made public a secret assurance he had given to Mr Blair in a telephone conversation last week: that France would not stand by if weapons of mass destruction were used against coalition troops. > > Jean-David Levitte, the French ambassador to Washington, said: “If Saddam Hussein were to use chemical and biological weapons, this would change the situation completely and immediately for the French government. We have equipment to fight in these circumstances.” > **[Breaking International News & Views](https://www.reuters.com/)** > [@](#): > > Report: France Could Aid Coalition Against Iraq > Tue March 18, 2003 10:46 AM ET > > WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Despite its opposition to a war in Iraq, France could assist any U.S.-led military coalition if Iraq uses biological and chemical weapons, the French ambassador to the United States told CNN on Tuesday. > > “If Saddam Hussein were to use chemical and biological weapons, this would change the situation completely and immediately for the French government,” Jean-David Levitte told CNN. > > Levitte said a decision on any French participation in the war would be made by French President Jacques Chirac, if and when biological or chemical weapons were used. ---
**Author:** ![ralph124c](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/8797f3/32.png) [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2003, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-anyone-else-see-the-report-about-french-involvement-this-morning/162437/4 "2003-03-19T19:13:33Z")
Hotdamn! I guess Chirac is admitting that he sold this stuff(chemical/biological poisons) to Iraq in the first place! Man, ya can’t beat the French for nerve! ---
**Author:** ![Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/earl_snake-hips_tucker/32/3269_2.png) [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earl_Snake-Hips_Tucker)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2003, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-anyone-else-see-the-report-about-french-involvement-this-morning/162437/5 "2003-03-19T19:27:24Z")
Well it’s about dog-gone time. As one person said, “Going to war without France is like going deer-hunting without an accordian.” ---
**Author:** ![The\_Scrivener](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eada6e/32.png) [@The\_Scrivener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Scrivener)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2003, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-anyone-else-see-the-report-about-french-involvement-this-morning/162437/6 "2003-03-19T19:51:29Z")
The French will send their very finest paper-shredding brigades. :rolleyes: Seriously, though, I think France and Germany stand to come under _very_ heavy criticism when invasion forces uncover the recent (under the limited oil sales program, since Saddam kicked out the weapons inspectors several years ago) paper trail for certain arms and proscribed-technology deals back to them. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Kentzel-Griffin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ccd318/32.png) [@John\_Kentzel-Griffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Kentzel-Griffin)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2003, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-anyone-else-see-the-report-about-french-involvement-this-morning/162437/7 "2003-03-19T21:57:14Z")
We are going to stick to _facts_ in General Questions. If you want to debate, go to Great Debates. If you want to rant, go to the Pit. Thank you. **DrMatrix** - General Questions Moderator