Three Frenchmen killed fighting US in Iraq

[Barrett808]

PARIS, Nov 18 (AFP) - Three, and possibly four, Frenchmen have been killed in Iraq fighting with insurgents seeking to oust US-led forces in the country, a French official said Thursday.

A 24-year-old Frenchman from Paris identified as Tarek W. was killed on September 17, the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

He was the latest addition to a list French authorities have drawn up of French casualties in Iraq, all of whom appear to be of Arab origin.

The two other men on the list were Redouane el-Hakim, a 19-year-old also from Paris who was killed July 17, and Abdel Halim Badjoudj, 19, killed in Iraq on October 20, according to the official, who confirmed a report in Le Figaro newspaper.

(more)

http://www.expatica.com/source/site_article.asp?subchannel_id=58&story_id=14100&name=Three+Frenchmen+killed+fighting+US+in+Iraq

[el_gato]

1. The term Frenchmen seems misleading in this usage

sounds more like muslims who happen to have been living in France.

[robcon]

2. Huh? Muslims are not Frenchmen?

I disagree. Those who live in France are Frenchmen no matter what their religion.

[daleo]

5. French citizens might be a better way of putting it

Given the anti-French sentiments that the Bush administration likes to kick up, the term "Frenchmen" does seem to have a connotation that the equally true term French citizen avoids.

[eowyn_of_rohan]

6. Well, I doubt they are indigenous Frenchmen

and France has bazillions of middle eastern, muslim immigrants--what is it now, about 20%?

[Kellanved]

8. From France's perspective they are

Ius Solis: anybody born on French soil, including colonies, is per definition a Frenchman.

And the number of Muslim citizens is not that much different from the one in other central European countries.

[eowyn_of_rohan]

9. Not from the perspective of all indigenous French people-nt

[Zynx]

13. Bill Clinton is considered a Frenchman because of Arkansas

He can even run for President.

[robcon]

12. Ever since the Algerian War in the 60's

there have been jillions (sorry for the inaccuracy) of Muslim Frenchmen in France, especially Marseilles. There is no need to make an assumption of birthplace.

[Ganja Ninja]

3. I believe that's the general idea.

You never hear about the British citizens that have been killed fighting us in Iraq but I'll bet there are more of them than the French.

[theHandpuppet]

10. Like Arnold the Gropenator

... is just another son of a Nazi living in the U.S.? Funny, when the immigrant is a French Muslim their citzenship is supposed to come with a disclaimer; here, some try to change the Consitution so the Aryan immigrants can run for President.

[Javaman]

4. Nothing more than sensationalist journalism.

[denverbill]

7. You nailed it. We've probably killed a few Israelis there too.

I'd be willing to be there have been a few people from occupied Palestine that have gone to fight in Iraq.

[BonjourUSA]

11. Between 20 to 30 Frenchmen of Arab orign are fighting in Iraq

with "insurgents".

This number is very difficult to check. It is an estimate of the police and of the regional social services department.

The Islamists try to recruit in some outskirts in which about 20% of this French population can be unemployed. This number could be very much important but the religious practice is not very different from the French average (10% for the young muslims, 4% for all the French population)

[Blue_Tires]

14. freeps will see the word 'french' in the title

and go crazy

[BonjourUSA]

15. Can we do anything ?

Just to think that it's an honor to be hated by these assholes