France may rejoin NATO
The President of France, Nicolas Sarkozy, indicated that France could rejoin NATO’s military command if two conditions are met. He wants Europe to move further toward having a common defense policy that would allow the EU to protect it’s interests independently from NATO (and the US). His second condition includes giving representatives of France high positions in NATO. France stepped out of NATO’s integrated command in 1966 during Charles de Gaulle reign. Former president Jacques Chirac tried to join in 1995 but his conditions were too demanding, and the Clinton administration declined. Whether the Bush administration is more inclined to give France what it wants remains to be seen.
French president Nicolas Sarkozy on Monday (24 September) laid down two conditions for France to rejoin the military command structure of NATO after an absence of over 40 years.
In an interview with The New York Times, Mr Sarkozy said he had no problem with returning to the military alliance’s integrated command, from which French president Charles de Gaulle withdrew in 1966.
But he said that first European defence must move forward and that top positions in the US-led NATO organisation should be reserved for French personnel.
“I would make progress on a European defence a condition for moving into the integrated command, and I am asking our American friends to understand that,” said the president.
“A Europe capable of defending itself independently would not be a risk for the Americans; it would be an asset.”
Read the full article at the EUObserver by clicking here.
Administrator @ September 25, 2007