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RogerRabbit · Posted: Fri Oct 08, 2004 3:54 pm Post subject: Makeup of Security Council

I have been trying to figure out since after WWII why France has a seat (and veto powers) on the UN Security Council.

All they did during those hostilities was to to their skivvies and bend over in 1939 when the Germans invaded them. The rest of the war they basically sat it out.

Was it because of their suffering ? France had minimal damageand casualies as compared to other Europeans.

Was because of the French resistance? If so why didn,t Norway, Holland, and other nations get a seat.

Was it for Troop cotribution? If so then certainly Canada and Austalria should have been seatet before them as I can remember that their part in the Allied effort was tremendous.

United States, Britain, Russia, and for the most part China should have been seated - but France its beyond me

Anybody got any answers I could'nt come up with over the past 50 some years
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"Si vis pacem, para bellum"

JCJR · Lt.Jg. Joined: 24 Aug 2004 Posts: 114

It might be one of those, "It seemed like a good idea at the time" things (GRIN).

This was before DeGaul "showed his posterior" on the international stage in 50's/60's.

Perhaps one factor-- at the end of WWII, France was still a major colonial power (even including Viet Nam). Controlling a good-sized chunk of the third world, France probably looked pretty powerful at that time, before most of their subjugated colonies chased them off.

SangRun Hunter · PO1 Joined: 10 Sep 2004 Posts: 462 Location: Zinzinnati

I've often wondered that myself and it might have been the colony thing.

What I don't understand is whay those seats are permanent at all. In all fairness I am glad we and Britain are members, but if it were voted on every 2-4 years it might be better in some case.

In all cases the UN has no bearing anymore as in Kosovo, Rwanda, Sudan, Somalia, Iraq, Cypres, Israel/Palestine, East Timor, Afghanistan, Iran, and on.....

And why do countries that are well documented human rights abusers even get a seat at the table?

Ugghh!!!!
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Mad as Hell!

MikeM · Ensign Joined: 10 Aug 2004 Posts: 71

Simple....they have nukes!

Nathanyl · PO3 Joined: 24 Aug 2004 Posts: 280

As much as I hate to say it, Great Britain insisted on France being added to the security council. Churchill was bound and determined to get back all of Britains colonies after the war because he felt that without them G.B. would lose her world power status. That being the case Britain also pushed for France to regain world power status ie. get back her colonies. Along with that I'd imagine that France was thought of as another check against the Soviet Union.
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Bill Hershey
www.worldwar4.net

wwIIvetsdaughter · Posted: Sat Oct 09, 2004 2:25 am Post subject:

I just as soon see the USA kick the UN outta NYC, the UN building would be better used for Section 8 housing for all the UN is worth. Twisted Evil

Nathanyl · PO3 Joined: 24 Aug 2004 Posts: 280

I agree. The UN has gone from being useless to a threat to our National Security.
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Bill Hershey
www.worldwar4.net

margie · Seaman Joined: 21 Aug 2004 Posts: 187

France was given a perm seat on the security councel because it was requested by Winston Churchill.

ocsparky101 · Posted: Sat Oct 09, 2004 4:03 am Post subject:

Speaking of Nukes does anyone recall the gift to China of Nuclear and Missle tech for campaign contributions to the Clinton Administration. Why is that not an issue in to the Kerry campaign. Surely since it was Bill and Hillary he supported it.