France urges US to join anti-ISIS coallition with Russia
French President François Hollande is to call for the US to review its strategy in fighting terrorist group Islamic State, arguing that Europe cannot wait for America’s long war of attrition with the jihadists to work, the Guardian reports.
Hollande is to meet US President Barack Obama on Tuesday next week before going to Russia for a visit. The French leader intends to make Obama aware of the extent of damage done to Europe by the developing refugee crisis and the rising threat of terrorist attacks, a European diplomat told the British newspaper.“The message that we want to send to the Americans is simply that the crisis is destabilizing Europe,”said the diplomat, who did not wish to be named. “The problem is that the attacks in Paris and the refugee crisis show that we don’t have time. There is an emergency.”
The source said that’s the reason why the French president will visit Washington on Tuesday before flying to Moscow.
According to the diplomat, Paris’ position is that the Europeans cannot afford to wait for years for the war of attrition that the US-led coalition is waging on Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS/ISIL) in Iraq and Syria, to take effect. There is an impression in Europe that the US doesn’t fully comprehend the urgency of the issue because it doesn’t have to take the bulk of the refugees fleeting Middle East and pouring into Europe in the biggest movement of people since World War II.
Hollande earlier called on the US and Russia, both of which lead a separate effort to eradicate IS, to join forces. Moscow said a broad coalition was needed to defeat the terrorists, but Washington said it would only agree if Russia shared its goals in Syria.
The White House insists that the Syrian conflict can only be resolved if President Bashar Assad steps down.
“Bottom line is, I do not foresee a situation in which we can end the civil war in Syria while Assad remains in power,” Barack Obama told reporters in Manila on the sidelines of the annual Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit.
The Kremlin sees the Syrian government as the most viable force in the country that can provide ground troops to battle terrorist groups. Russia says Assad’s political future should be decided by the Syrian people, but the US insists he should not be part of a political settlement. […]
SUPPORT OFFGUARDIAN
If you enjoy OffG's content, please help us make our monthly fund-raising goal and keep the site alive.
For other ways to donate, including direct-transfer bank details click HERE.
Reblogged this on Siem Reap Mirror.
I wonder what part of ‘F*ck the EU’ the European politicians and diplomats do not get?
Reblogged this on wgrovedotnet.
Totally agree with Roger.
America wants regime change at all costs.
Paris is part of the cost.
American and British oil interests want small servile middle eastern countries run by fundamentalist dictators who are easy to trade with and happy to live as kings provided they are showered in wealth – basically lots of mini Saudi Arabias with Israel in charge.
When Bush II was in charge it was full speed ahead – he’s an oil man and he provided for them in Iraq – Obama is a tech man not oil, although I’m sure they have something on him – they certainly have friends in Washington and the pentagon – but ultimately Obama is playing cautious and personally I think these attacks were agitated by oil interests, not the US government directly.
But really – who knows!
Again and again! Who the bloody hell do the americans think they are to decide who is to govern Syria?