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– EuroArmy...For Peace or
War?
Sarkozy Wants to Create European Naval
Unit
Spiegel On-line
French President Nicolas Sarkozy is, it is safe to say, something of an
ideas man. His latest brainwave is sure to make waves -- he plans to
propose the creation of a European naval unit.
French President Nicolas Sarkozy has something of a track record of
dropping bombshells at Franco-German summits. During a meeting near
Berlin last September, Sarkozy caused German Chancellor Angela Merkel's
jaw to drop by offering Germany nuclear weapons (more...).
Last week's meeting between the two leaders (more...) in the Bavarian
town of Straubing was no exception, SPIEGEL has learned. This time,
Sarkozy, who has had no shortage of big ideas since taking office in May
2007, told the Germans about his plans to propose the creation of a
European naval unit during France's presidency of the Council of the
European Union, which begins on July 1.
Under Sarkozy's plan, the German Navy is supposed to contribute frigates
and logistics units to an aircraft carrier battle group which will sail
under a European flag. The aircraft carrier itself will, according to
the plan, be supplied by the United Kingdom, however, as France's
prestige aircraft carrier, the Charles de Gaulle, is frequently out of
service for repairs. Sarkozy will decide about the construction of a
second aircraft carrier only in 2012 or so, as there is currently not
enough money available for the French armed forces.
For this reason, as Sarkozy explained behind closed doors in Straubing,
he also wants to postpone the construction of new nuclear submarines,
reduce the French Army by 35,000 troops to a total of around 220,000 and
reduce the commitments of the French military in Africa. In addition,
the president intends to transfer responsibility for the gendarmerie to
the Interior Ministry. The paramilitary force, with its around 100,000
personnel, has until now been under the control of the Defense Ministry.
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