Chirac:Use Nuclear Bombs for Terrorists

http://dutchnewz.com ^ | 01/19/06 | Johan van Dale

[shezz]

The French president Jacques Chirac has made it clear he wouldn't hesitate in using nuclear weapons against terrorist states. Every state that is planning an attack on France can reckon on a suitable reaction

[CatoRenasci]

There is some delicious irony in this statement by Chiraq, of course, but one should read this rather positively, I think: the French have always been brutal in dealing with revolt (think the Vendee, think Algeria, think Southeast Asia, think various countries in the francophone portions of Africa where they have intervened over the last 40 years), especially when they're not facing other great powers. I think it's probably true that a serious enough strike on France would trigger atomic retaliation by the force d'frappe.

Indeed, probably the best way to deal with the Iranians would be for the French to find themselves attacked by an Iranian missile.

The French won't fight worth a damn at or above their own weight, but they're tigers in thumping the bantam weights. I'm all for letting them do some of the necessary thumping.

[When do we get liberated?]

He meant he would nuke France if he thought surrender wan't enough in truely dire circumstances, like being threatened.

[Killing Time]

Jeez, if you guys think that the French response to the nuking of Paris would not be immediate, massive and fairly indiscriminate nuclear retaliation then you're really not in the reality-based community.

[Prophet in the wilderness]

The more France barks the more you can see its teeth are rotten.""
And bad breath.......

[New Perspective]

Can you picture the French attempting to assemble and detonate a nuclear device? Peter Sellers comes to mind.

[R. Scott]

It actually worked pretty well – it forced the Germans to attack France through the Low Countries, with the decisive thrust mounted through the Ardennes. Only holding attacks were made against the Maginot line.

That happens when a country depends on others for national Security.

[swain_forkbeard]

An amusing image, to be sure. But France is more than capable of assembling, delivering, and detonating a nuclear warhead. They have had that capability for decades.

[kidd]

I'm glad to see the Jackie-Boy has decided to escalate things with Iran.

/ sarcasm

Bush is smart enough to know that he shouldn't say anything as ridiculous as this. Number one - this simply inflames the Muslim ego and will actually make Iran less willing to listen to the need to halt its nuclear weapons plans. Number two - this makes France a primary target. Number three - Chiraq will not follow through on his threat - he can't even make himself say the 'M' word in regards to the car burnings - how is he going to 'N' the 'M's?

[TomGuy]

Jacques Chirac has made it clear he wouldn't hesitate in using nuclear weapons against terrorist states.

This would be, of course, after he holds his breath, turns blues, stomps his foot, and jumps up and down in extreme agitation, while waiting for the permission slip from the UN.

[hope]

Does France even have a nuke?

[Antoninus]

This from a guy who won't even use force to stop his own home-grown terrorists from torching cars in Paris.

[Gertie]

It's real. Here it is in English.
Chirac Says Nuclear Arms Can Deter Terrorist WMD Use
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=10000085&sid=a1wK2TWDG69g&refer=europe

[isaiah55version11_0]

See also (France defends right to nuclear reply to terrorism)

[bmwcyle]

Here is the trouble. They won't know right away which target is responsible. By the time it is determined the socialist won't act.

[isaiah55version11_0]

Frances lack of scruples does give them some advantages. No?

[swain_forkbeard]

You wrote, "France has nothing in between 'soft power' and nuclear armageddon".

In his statement, Chirac emphasises France's capability of a measured nuclear response. The article cites ways in which the French nuclear forces have been modified to support such a mission. My own quick google research reveals that France has concentrated on lower-yield weapons designs since the seventies.

The deterrent capablility of nuclear weapons depends upon the enemies' belief that they will be used. Chirac is trying to enhance France's deterrence factor by pointing out that NOT every nuclear strike need be armageddon.

[bmwcyle]

Cowards are often skum.

[SedVictaCatoni]

Does France even have a nuke?

http://www.cdi.org/nuclear/database/nukestab.html

[blam]

France just gave the 'go-ahead' to Israel.

[Steveone]

you are right!