Military History | How To Make War | Wars Around the World Rules of Use How to Behave on an Internet Forum
NATO Discussion Board
   Return to Topic Page
Subject: France To Re-Join NATO
Softwar    3/13/2009 1:03:03 PM
France’s Last NATO hurdle Aviation Week & Space Technology Mar 16 , 2009 , p. 21 France is preparing to reintegrate into the full NATO high command, provided the move passes muster in the country’s parliament this week. Full reintegration, which would culminate in a 15-year rapprochement with the Atlantic alliance begun by earlier governments, was announced by President Nicolas Sarkozy a year ago. Government leaders initially resisted putting the plan to a vote. However, opposition from a number of Gaullists in Sarkozy’s own UMP ruling party—even stalwarts such as Josselin de Rohan, chairman of the senate foreign affairs, defense and armed forces committee, grumble that France is giving up its sovereignty without getting enough in return—led Prime Minister Francois Fillon to call a vote of confidence this week to end the debate. In a speech before the Strategic Research Foundation on Mar. 11, Sarkozy defended the decision to return to NATO—which then-President Charles de Gaulle quit in 1966—saying it would permit France to work more effectively with its allies, exert more influence over alliance defense policy and further European defense integration. Sarkozy insisted the measure would not diminish the country’s independence, particularly with respect to its nuclear strike capability. Though Paris will reintegrate into the NATO Defense Planning Committee and participate fully in all other civil and military decision-making and planning activities, it will remain apart from the Nuclear Planning Group. Although Sarkozy did not receive assurances that defense integration within the European Union would be advanced, including setting up a planning unit, EU Secretary General Javier Solana said France’s return will “open up new prospects for a more solid, confident and complementary relationship between NATO and the EU.” If parliament approves, which is expected, Sarkozy will inform NATO members of the decision and announce it formally at the upcoming NATO summit in Strasbourg, France, Apr. 3-4. The armed forces are already preparing to dispatch 900 officers to the NATO high command. The country also will take over the Lisbon command, where NATO’s Rapid Reaction Force is headquartered, as well as the key NATO Transformation Command in Norfolk, Va.
 
Quote    Reply

Show Only Poster Name and Title     Newest to Oldest



 Latest
 News
 
 Most
 Read
 
 Most
 Commented
 Hot
 Topics