Military of China, force comment.
Military of China, force comment.

Data for: mission in Afghanistan, French soldiers

8 19, the French presidential palace announced through a press release, the deployment of the French peacekeeping force in Afghanistan suffered heavy losses: 10 soldiers killed, 21 wounded . In the evening, Sarkozy rushed to Afghanistan by President of the plane to the French peacekeeping soldiers expressed sympathy and support. Faced with such heavy losses, the French head of some opposition parties severely criticized the government made. Since the worst fighting since the Algerian war casualties

French presidential press release, August 18, the French peacekeeping force in Afghanistan, 50 kilometers east of Kabul than in areas of Salu, by Taliban militants forces ambush, both the ensuing exchange of fire, fighting continued until 19. During the firefight, 10 French peacekeepers and soldiers were killed and 21 wounded. Taliban forces have 13 people were killed.

French Defense Ministry said it was in France since the 1960s war in Algeria was the worst suffered since the battle casualties. This is also the French army in 1983 after the terrorist attacks in Lebanon, the most casualties. That year, a total of 58 French soldiers killed in terrorist attack in Beirut. French media said that this is the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan since 2001, the worst since the peacekeeping casualties.

press release that the French presidential palace, 18 and 19 French soldiers killed mainly from the 8th Marine Parachute Regiment. Prior to this, the French peacekeepers in Afghanistan were lost 13 soldiers.

Sarkozy has no intention to withdraw troops from Afghanistan

communique released at the Presidential Palace, the French high-level political parties have stated publicly, condolences to the families of fallen soldiers. French Prime Minister Francois Fillon said France is “defending freedom” to pay the price. He killed and wounded soldiers condolences to the families. French National Assembly President Akwa Jesus on behalf of all members in Afghanistan to the “brave completion of the peace mission” to pay tribute to French soldiers. NATO in Brussels to attend an emergency meeting on the situation in Georgia, French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner said the French soldiers’ freedom for the world down, “he also feel” sad. ”

French middle party “Democratic Movement” main Xibei Lu soldiers killed in mourning, but also criticized the French Government. He said the cause of the tragedy is not very difficult to prevent terrorist attacks, but the traditional sense of the ambushes. French peacekeeping forces actually suffered such heavy losses, which fully shows the French Government does not provide proper maintenance of equipment and personnel to ensure their safety.

far-right political party “National Front” Lord Xile Pang said the French soldiers were killed Sarkozy’s pro-US policy is a “catastrophic failure.” He said the soldiers killed was not at the expense of France, but for “Uncle Sam” and died. In his view, the United States in their own interests in Afghanistan has embarked on an endless war, the French have no reason to “Uncle Sam” and war, should immediately withdraw its troops from Afghanistan.

Sarkozy said that his “strong-willed.” He said France should “for democracy and freedom”, “will be in the end the struggle with terrorism.” He said France “is a just cause.” To the French peacekeeping force in Afghanistan, expressed condolences to Nicolas Sarkozy on August 19 evening from Paris to the front line in Afghanistan emergency.

USA: sincere thanks to the sacrifices of France

French peacekeeping troops suffered heavy losses, the major countries of NATO leaders in the 19th position after another day that France’s “unity.”

Bush, after learning of the news, the first time on the dead and wounded French soldiers condolences to the families. White House spokesman said: “We sincerely thank the French made a sacrifice.”

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown said that France is to “all want to help Afghanistan build a better future” and made a sacrifice. He said Britain was “very proud to fight side by side with France.” Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, “strongly condemned” the armed forces of the French peacekeepers and Afghan soldiers in the attack. He expressed condolences to the families of soldiers killed and wished the injured soldiers a speedy recovery. Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper said Canadians with the French people “the same grief.” Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi to “My dear Nicholas,” Sarkozy sent a letter to the beginning, to “fight for democracy and freedom of the French soldiers killed” condolences.

EU senior officials responsible for foreign affairs Javier Solana, said Taliban militants for attacks on French peacekeepers and soldiers is “despicable” and “barbaric” behavior. He said that French peacekeepers and French soldiers and the whole European Union “glory.”

3,000 French peacekeepers stationed in Afghanistan

French Defense Ministry released figures show that there are currently more than 3,000 French peacekeepers stationed in Afghanistan. The peacekeepers, there are 1,800 people in Kabul. 5 August onwards, they took over the NATO peacekeeping force in the region command.

April this year, Sarkozy on NATO’s Bucharest summit France will send more troops to Afghanistan to make a commitment. This summer, Sarkozy pledged 700 peacekeepers have been deployed to Kabul, Kapisa province, north-east direction. The main task of these troops is to cut off access to capital, Kabul, Taliban forces have a strategic channel. In addition, there are nearly 300 French peacekeepers to participate in the training of Afghan troops. (In French newspaper reporter Lin Weiguang)