France to set up military base in UAE

France announced today it will build a 'permanent' 500-man military base in the United Arab Emirates. (see story)

In announcing the deal, French President Nicolas Sarkozy said, "and by 'permanent', I mean like a wedding vow."

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NATO's been asking for 2 years for French to send troops to help in Afghanistan. But it turns out the French prefer the 'fancy part' of the Middle East. Said Sarkozy: "We flipped coin: fight Taliban or be near giant man-made luxury island. Taliban lost."