Sarkozy Announces Major Reassessment of Defense Policies

[Joanne98]

Source: WP

PARIS, June 17 -- President Nicolas Sarkozy Tuesday announced a major new defense policy that would integrate French troops into the command structure of the NATO alliance for the first time in more than four decades.

Sarkozy also proposed a leaner military with fewer troops and bases, a slow-down in the deployment of expensive aircraft and warships and more money for intelligence-gathering satellites and other equipment needed to fight terrorism, cyber-crime and drug trafficking on French territory.

The new military doctrine, the first major reassessment of the country's defense policies in 14 years, reflects the realities of shrinking military budgets and changing security threats. It also underscores Sarkozy's efforts to mend rifts with the United States and his European neighbors.

"We can renew our relations with NATO without fearing for our independence and without the risk of being unwillingly dragged into a war," Sarkozy told senior government and military officials in a speech Tuesday. He said France would retain full control of its nuclear arsenal and would not allow its troops to be placed permanently under foreign command.



Read more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/06/17/AR2008061701349.html

---

The French need to impeach this guy.

[ananda]

1. Something about immigration has made..

.. the French turn into fascists again.

And then there is the revival of Italian
corporate fascism, and I have to wonder
what makes the Italians so crazy about
fascist leaders like Berlusconi and Ratzy.

[HeresyLives]

2. He also wants to get away

from being called 'President Bling', so a new military image is called for.