In a dramatic reversal from past policies, French president Jacques Chirac today announced support for the United States’ efforts in Iraq and pledged to send up to 50,000 French youth to assist in that country’s reconstruction.
U.S. President George W. Bush welcomed the Gallic nation’s changed attitude. “We are delighted to see the Coalition of the Willing growing ever larger,” he said from a White House cafeteria where he symbolically ate a plateful of newly named “French” fries.
Chirac identified his nation’s Moslem and African young adults as the most likely to be sent to aid the war-stricken country. “They would be the most effective,” Chirac said. “Many of them look like Iraqis anyway and they speak languages common to the region. Some of our other youth – especially those descended from families who have lived in France for generations – would have a harder time relating to the Kurds, Shi’ites and Sunnis.”
Chirac said that the shipment of the youth to Iraq would begin almost immediately. “We’re also hoping to send along their parents, aunts and uncles to keep them company” he added.
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