Blackadder1916
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For a country that 20 years ago talked about "Freedom Fries" and joked about white French flags, that's gotta sting.
Since France was mentioned, it may be appropriate to note this speech (official English translation in the link) given by the French President a few days ago. I've included an excerpt that discusses the immediate situation in Kabul and France's intent.
![uk.ambafrance.org](https://uk.ambafrance.org/IMG/arton30190.jpg?1629195294)
France will stand with Afghans in a spirit of comradeship - President
"Afghanistan's future is in its own hands, but we will continue... supporting Afghan civil society and doing our duty to protect those whom we can protect," says Emmanuel Macron.
Afghanistan – Speech by M. Emmanuel Macron, President of the Republic, on the situation in Afghanistan
Fort de Brégancon, 16 August 2021
. . .
France’s fight served a purpose and did us credit. One day it will bear fruit, and I ask you to remember that.
At this very moment, the situation in Afghanistan is deteriorating swiftly and sharply. As I speak, the Taliban have assumed control of nearly the entire country. They entered Kabul and control the city with the exception of the airport, where activities are being coordinated by the Americans. The Afghan president left the country. Commercial flights have ceased.
This shift, which we were prepared for, calls for immediate decisions and initiatives on a par with the gravity of the situation, in order to respond to the humanitarian disaster.
The absolute priority is to ensure the security of our compatriots, who must all leave the country, as well as Afghans who have worked for France.
Our citizens have been evacuated in stages during recent weeks, in anticipation of what would happen. We are in contact with all French citizens who wish to return home, whether they be at the military airport, the civilian airport, or on the historic grounds of the Embassy, where the situation remains troubling. I want to take this opportunity to thank our representatives on the ground – our diplomats, police officers and military personnel – for their commitment and their courage. I also want to thank our American allies, who have been indispensable to carrying out these evacuations.
France is one of the very few countries that decided it had to have the means on the ground until the very end to protect those who worked for us. In recent weeks, we also made plans for evacuations operations.
We were therefore able to welcome all Afghan employees of French entities in Afghanistan who could be in danger, together with their families – more than 600 people – and assume care for them under good conditions.
France is currently protecting the European Union delegate and has provided protection for Afghans who work with the European delegation. France has also provided protection and support for all French personnel of nongovernmental organizations who wish to leave the country.
Operations have been under way for several years now to welcome Afghan civilian personnel employed by the French armed forces, along with their families. Our duty and our sense of integrity demand that we protect those who help us: interpreters, drivers, cooks and so many others. More than 800 people are now on French soil. Several dozen people who assisted the French armed forces are still on the ground, and we are mobilizing all of our efforts on their behalf.
Many Afghans – rights workers, artists, journalists, activists – are now in danger because of their activities. We will help them as much as we possibly can, because it does credit to France to stand by those who share our values, taking into account necessary adjustments to our capacity. I want to thank the associations, collectives and local governments who will help welcome them. In order to proceed with their evacuation, which can only be conducted in close coordination with American troops on the ground, I have decided to send two military aircraft and special forces. They will be on the ground in the coming hours.
Apart from these urgent measures, I intend to take several initiatives on behalf of France in close coordination with the other European nations and our allies.
- We will continue to focus our efforts first and foremost on actively combating Islamist terrorism in all of its forms.
. . .
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