|
MAKING WAVES: Sarkozy
Wants to Create European Naval Unit
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.
Last week's meeting between the two leaders 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.
|
