Another diplomatic success

They really are coming fast and furious for Bush, Rice & Mustache-Boy. Prepare for another round of french-bashing.

Dealing a blow to a U.S.-backed strategy for Lebanon, France has refused to participate in a meeting of nations that could send troops to help monitor a cease-fire between Israel and Hezbollah, even though it may join _ and possibly even lead _ such a force.

The French refusal to take part in the meeting, set to take place at the U.N. on Thursday, reflects a wide divergence in views between Washington and Paris about how to impose a lasting peace after three weeks of war between Israel and Hezbollah.

France doesn't even want to talk about sending peacekeepers until fighting halts and the U.N. Security Council agrees to a wider framework for lasting peace. The U.S., which had sought the troop-contributor meeting in the first place, wants an end to the fighting to come only as part of a larger series of simultaneous moves that would include the peacekeepers.

France's decision seemed to contradict Bush administration claims Tuesday that diplomats were making progress toward establishing an international peacekeeping force for Lebanon. Officials said no quick cease-fire seemed likely, but that the Security Council could come to a deal soon.

I guess if we had followed the "Von Schlieffen Plan" proposed by the gang at "Moron Junction" in 2002/2003 and invaded them after France tried to prevent this nation from entering into a fucked up quagmire, we wouldn't have this problem.