Author Archives: Michael Froomkin

UK-France Merger Discussed in 1956

Posted on January 15, 2007 by Michael Froomkin

Stranger than fiction.

Guardian, France and UK considered 1950s ‘merger’,

Britain and France talked about a “union” in the 1950s, even discussing the possibility of the Queen becoming the French head of state, it was reported today.

On September 10 1956, Guy Mollet, the then French prime minister, came to London to discuss the possibility of a merger between the two countries with his British counterpart, Sir Anthony Eden, according to declassified papers from the National Archives, uncovered by the BBC.

Not, it seems, a joke, as it’s also at the Times, Were we nearly les franglais?

Traumatised by Suez and the fighting in Algeria, a desperate French Prime Minister floated the idea of merging with Britain in 1956 and installing the Queen as head of state of the two countries, the BBC will report tonight.

Records of conversations between Anthony Eden, the British Prime Minister, and his Cabinet Secretary, Sir Norman Brook, show that the idea was swiftly dismissed but that serious thought was given to a secondary proposal to make France a member of the Commonwealth.

Posted in UK | 2 Comments

It’s All About Metrics

Posted on January 15, 2007 by Michael Froomkin

archy asks,

Remember the days when we used to kill the number three guy in al Qayda very few weeks? It seems like months since we last killed him. Does this mean we’re losing our edge?

Posted in Iraq | 1 Comment

Statement by Law Deans on Stimson Remarks

Posted on January 15, 2007 by Michael Froomkin

The following statement, dated January 14, 2007, has been signed by more than 57 U.S. law deans, with more joining by the hour:

We, the law deans undersigned below are appalled by the January 11, 2007 statement of Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense Charles “Cully” Stimson, criticizing law firms for their pro bono representation of suspected terrorist detainees and encouraging corporate executives to force these law firms to choose between their pro bono and paying clients.

As law deans and professors, we find Secretary Stimson’s statement to be contrary to basic tenets of American law. We teach our students that lawyers have a professional obligation to ensure that even the most despised and unpopular individuals and groups receive zealous and effective legal representation. Our American legal tradition has honored lawyers who, despite their personal beliefs, have zealously represented mass murderers, suspected terrorists, and Nazi marchers. At this moment in time, when our courts have endorsed the right of the Guantanamo detainees to be heard in courts of law, it is critical that qualified lawyers provide effective representation to these individuals. By doing so, these lawyers protect not only the rights of the detainees, but also our shared constitutional principles. In a free and democratic society, government officials should not encourage intimidation of or retaliation against lawyers who are fulfilling their pro bono obligations.

We urge the Administration promptly and unequivocally to repudiate Secretary Stimson’s remarks.

Sincerely,

[first 57 signatories below]

Continue reading →

Posted in Law School | 5 Comments

OLC Head Blogs at ‘Opinio Juris’

Posted on January 15, 2007 by Michael Froomkin

Kevin Jon Heller writes,

John Bellinger, the head of the Office of the Legal Adviser at the State Department, will be guest-blogging at Opinio Juris the week of January 15th (Monday to Friday). To the best of our knowledge, this will be the first time that anyone at the State Department — particularly someone in such a critical position — will have blogged in their official capacity.

Should be interesting! The OJ crowd have also invited some academic guests to participate in the conversation.

Posted in Law: International Law | 2 Comments

‘This has to be called escalation

Posted on January 14, 2007 by Michael Froomkin

The Left Coaster's new military affairs contributor USAF Col. Sam Gardiner (ret.) starts off his blogging with a disturbing account of the US actions aimed at Iran, Pieces in Place for Escalation

The pieces are moving. They'll be in place by the end of February. The United States will be able to escalate military operations against Iran.

The second carrier strike group leaves the U.S. west coast on Tuesday. It will be joined by naval mine clearing assets from both the United States and the UK. Patriot missile defense systems have also been ordered to deploy to the Gulf.

Maybe as a guard against North Korea seeing operations focused on Iran as a chance to be aggressive, a squadron of F-117 stealth fighters has just been deployed to Korea.

This has to be called escalation.

There's lots more, including this:

As one of the last steps before a strike, we’ll see USAF tankers moved to unusual places, like Bulgaria. These will be used to refuel the US-based B-2 bombers on their strike missions into Iran. When that happens, we’ll only be days away from a strike.

The White House could be telling the truth. Maybe there are no plans to take Iran to the next level. The fuel for a fire is in place, however. All we need is a spark. The danger is that we have created conditions that could lead to a Greater Middle East War.

Is there no one in the GOP who can shake some sense into the madmen in the White House?

Posted in Iran | 6 Comments

Nothing To See Here, Move Along

Posted on January 14, 2007 by Michael Froomkin

TheStar.com – News – U.S. retracts spy coins claim

It seems there’s no danger of your spare change spying on you after all.

A U.S. government defence agency has suddenly retracted its claim that Canadian coins containing tiny transmitters were planted on at least three American contractors who visited Canada.

It’s the latest twist in an intriguing cash caper.

…

In a statement posted late Friday on its website, the Defense Security Service said the coin claims were based on a report provided to the agency.

“The allegations, however, were found later to be unsubstantiated following an investigation into the matter,” the statement said, adding that “the 2006 annual report should not have contained this information.”

The service’s acting director has ordered an internal review of the circumstances leading up to publication of the information “to prevent incidents like this” from recurring.

A spokeswoman for the agency was unavailable Saturday.

As recently as Wednesday, the Defense Security Service insisted the risk was genuine.

“What’s in the report is true,” agency spokeswoman Martha Deutscher told The Associated Press. “This is indeed a sanitized version, which leaves a lot of questions.”

Earlier item, Is that a Loonie in Your Pocket or is Someone Else Glad to See Me?.

Posted in National Security | Comments Off on Nothing To See Here, Move Along