WORLD> Center
|
WORLD> Center
|
|
Sarkozy overhauls the military as France plans return to NATO
(Agencies)
Updated: 2008-06-17 23:22
With the largest army in the European Union, France for the first time made homeland security part of its defence strategy to confront threats from terrorism, cyber-attacks and natural disasters. In his address, Sarkozy pledged to pursue his drive to build a European defence despite Ireland's rejection of a key EU reform treaty as France takes over the EU presidency in July. The French EU presidency will be the "first step in re-launching European defence for the coming years," said Sarkozy. The white paper calls for the creation of a 60,000-strong EU force. Some of the France's four permanent bases in Africa will also be shut down, reflecting new strategic priorities. Sarkozy announced in January plans to open a permanent base in Abu Dhabi, France's first in the Gulf. Some 50 military bases, garrisons and other defence facilities are to be closed across France in a move that has already touched off protests in towns that fear economic hardship. Underscoring the focus on intelligence-gathering, a new national security council will be set up at the Elysee palace and a new national intelligence coordinator has been named. The last defence review was carried out in 1994, stressing the need to consolidate the gains of the end of the Cold War. The previous one dates back to 1972. 
|
