Why are the French so against liberating countries with awful regimes?

Question

Hmmmmm.... I am rather sure that we liberated them from the Nazi's

Answer 1

The French, along with the MAJORITY of the rest of the world considered that International Laws created after WW2 to prevent WW3 were actually important and should be followed - especially the bits about not launching wars of aggression against 3rd world countries incapable of defending itself (or did you miss Rumsfeld, Colin Powell and Condi Rice all standing up during Clinton's rule to say Iraq was contained? Were they lying, or did they slip up on Bush's watch and allow Iraq to re-arm?) That is why France and over 100 other countries did not back the war in Iraq.


Regarding the US involvement in WW2 (the whole "I am rather sure that we liberated them from the Nazis" thing) - get over yourselves. The US played a role in liberating France from the Nazis, but a far GREATER number came from the UK, the Commonwealth (incl. India and Canada) as well as refugees from Nazi occupied Europe, including Poles, Czechs and yes, even the Free French (Paris was liberated by a French Batallion). Only one of the 5 beaches on D-Day were the responsibility of US forces. In addition, the reason the D-Day landings succeeded and weren't driven back into the sea was because of the very effective programmes of sabotage and attack against German forces by the FRENCH resistance, who managed to paralyse the rail network, block roads and prevent German tank divisions reinforcing the forces defending Normandy.

Also, try not to forget that the reason the Colonials were able to defeat the British in the War of Independence was because of French money, troops and resources. 90% of the gunpower fired by the American side in the War of Independence was provided by the French. The famous Battle of the Chesapeake was actually fought between British and French fleets, and at the resulting surrender of Gen. Cornwallis at Yorktown, there were more French troops present that Colonial ones. In other words, helping liberate France from the Nazis can just be considered some measure of recompense for the French helping liberate your country from the British in the first place.

I found this out by reading books, as opposed to getting my version of US history from Hollywood. I'm sure I'll get lots of lovely thumbs down for pointing out that historical fact sometimes doesn't go along with the rose-tinted view of America's chickenhawks.

Answer 2

past experience has shown that trying to liberate countries that are tribal based is pointless. One tribe or the other will set up a strongman that becomes a tyrant. Then you have to go in again and straighten it out once more. the cycle just keeps repeating itself. This is the lessons learned from all those years of colonization the french and english got involved with. It seems the english have forgotten the lesson but seem to have learned from this refresher course called Iraq. As to your ignorant remark France was a democracy being saved from a dictator that is not the same as trying to educate a country that never knew democracy and seemingly never will.

Answer 3

The French do not all hate individuals and do not all hate Brits. In my numerous months in France, i have got here upon that older French people have a warmth feeling for individuals customarily. those are ordinarily those who both lived throughout the time of WWII or have studied historic past. a number of them have advised me they imagine about those activities at the same time as they meet individuals. individuals: some French hate individuals because they don't decide on to speak French at the same time as vacationing France, talk immediately and on to a stranger with out the traditional gentle and well mannered intro ("Excuse me. ought to I ask you a question?"), and get offended at the same time as the French do not talk English to them. The French have a custom of very well mannered starting up to any verbal substitute with a stranger. they imagine that is amazingly rude to in hardship-free words walk as a lot as someone you've not in any respect met and commence speaking promptly ("good day, the position is the submit place of work? Eh? answer me!"). the different reason is that American authorities is too fascinated with overseas affairs. 0.5 of the French are both socialist or communist, and meaning they don't decide on capitalism exported via the U.S. Brits: a lot of a similar motives as above, yet a lot less many times for the overseas affairs bit. there is also a lengthy historic past of wars between Britain and France (before some time, before 1900).

Answer 4

Look at the French business deals. France loaned billions of dollars to Saddam and had exclusive rights to sell Iraq's oil under the 'oil for palaces' program.

Look at the issues in Darfur - after Sudan began massacring people in Darfur, France and Sudan signed a sweet oil deal.

France does not care about what is right - France cares about what is profitable.

Answer 5

I start by saying I am not french and I do not answer as a defender of France, but I am European.

France has had some political positions in what concerns foreign and domestic affairs that I disagree with, like their policies with ethnic minorities and immigrants within their borders, even though I understand it is a very complex issue. Anyway, that is an "internal" problem and I know only what I read and search.

Nevertheless, France is a country that, in general, is a great defendant of comprehension and justice. Talking about the war in Iraq, almost everyone in Europe, and I am talking about the people itself and not only their governments, disagreed with this war in Iraq. The french and German government's were the only who really had the guts to face the US, and stood as the only Representative of most Europeans' opinion.. I remember seeing Colin Powell, at a conference, showing satellite images and maps with structures highlighted, and the french representative jumped off his seat and said "Convince me! Please try as I am not convinced!".. About a year after the war began (a war that is still going, a war that led to a civil war, a war that "would be won in 3 months"... make the math), Colin Powell came and exposed some truths...
Nowadays, we ALL know that some "proofs" that "justified" this incursion were fake and constructed by those that were eager to make a war and didn't know how to convince others, because, really, there were no reasonable reasons.
What I mean with reasonable reasons is reasons that make sense, considering History, economical and political reasons... for many years, the US maintained relations, or whatever u want to call it, with Saddam Hussein... wasn't he then already a dictator? Yes, but a dictator that had interest, at the time...
President Bush said, when the process started, something I consider of very bad taste and of little respect for the world, including all Americans,: "I am going after the guy that tried to kill my father"!! Is this fair for you, as Americans, whose family and friends are sent to war??? How can you justify this...? Do you feel safe knowing that are men and women dying for a personal vengeance mainly? There were no connections to AlQaeda (Saddam's religion is himself), no " weapons of mass destruction", and some of the weapons they had were, in some point of history, given by the US, just like with the talibans.. remember that was the US who put them there in the first place, to help fight the URSS?
I mean, I am not anti-USA but, really, you cannot point the finger in what comes to human rights and freedom to no-one (don't get me started on Guantanamo, or even with what happened in Louisiana with Katrina, witch hunt to communists... or, talking about WWII, the bombing of Nagasaki and Hiroshima)... You do not even defend environmental rights: you signed the Quioto agreement. Applauded. When you were told you weren't following it, you said "Really?!! So we won't sign it again, so we can pollute whatever we please!"..I mean...

Back to the subject:
France had the toughest resistance during WWII, they resisted the best they could... Yes, the Nazi army marched in Paris... the Nazi army took over more than half Europe, and those who were not invaded was just because they sat neutral. Great destruction was caused, in both cities and lives, but the French (and the British, and the resistance groups throughout Europe, fought as well).
I am sorry to say, generally, Europeans are much more pro-freedom and pro-human rights than Americans and you didn't "save us" from the Nazis... you just gave the final push, a very important one indeed, but your deeds will never overcome the effort of millions of people (armies and population) that, for years, resisted everyday.

I wrote too much. I hope I have not offended anyone but I get really annoyed with these subjects. Why do you think you're better than everyone else???


EDIT - m1ammikegolf's: France is not flaw-free... They have done several mistakes but I cannot stay seated when people say this about WWII and the american having saved the french from the Nazis...

Answer 6

They had oil deals with Saddam, in violation of the sanctions.

It's an historical fact - the last time the US and the French were involved in the same battle, they were on the other side (Vichy France, WWII).

Answer 7

We didn't "liberate" Iraq. We conquered it and imposed our puppet regime for the benefit of the energy cartel. It's perfectly clear today that the President and his lackeys knew Saddam was no immediate threat and the claims they were making publicly about WMD, uranium and Al Qaeda connections were baloney. The French and Russian objections were that their energy companies were already doing quite nicely with Saddam in charge and they saw no need to change the status quo. The same is true for their attitude toward Iran and nuclear reactors.

Answer 8

Because in the previous century the French had a record of intervention and colonialism that didnt turn out so well...lesson learned you see, just like America will eventually do

Answer 9

Right you are, but uhm?.....Isn't France a socialist republic?.......How awful is that? Given the history of France, I don't expect any great humanitarian aid or inspiration to come from France in the near future.

Answer 10

Well thank goodness they helped us out when we needed it. And they thought enough of our Revolution to have one of their own.

I'm sure there's a French farmer sitting down at lunch looking at the news and wondering why American's think they have to police the whole rest of the world....

And believe me they are greatful to the men and women of the Greatest Generation for the sacrifices they made to defeat the NAZIs.

Just because your friend doesn't agree with one bad decision you make doesn't mean he isn't your friend...he just isn't going to follow you down that dark hole.