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French warning of nuclear response a necessary deterrent
 STRASBOURG: Defence Minister Michele Alliot-Marie said Tuesday the warning by President Jacques Chirac that France could respond with nuclear weapons to state-sponsored terrorism was a necessary deterrent to protect the country from an attack. Chirac warned in January that leaders who would envisage using arms of mass destruction would expose themselves to a fitting response - conventional or other - from France. He said there should be no doubt about Frances will and capacity to use nuclear arms if its vital interests were threatened. Alliot-Marie suggested that France would extend its nuclear protection to European allies. France is a nuclear power. We have indicated we are willing to strike if one of our neighbors existence was threatened. Its a deterrent, but of course you must be willing to use it for it to be a deterrent, Alliot-Marie told a European Parliament committee. Nuclear protection is our protection, the protection we prefer today, she said. Chirac drew scorching criticism in Europe for his comments, which had sent a warning to countries like Iran and sought to nip in the bud domestic debate about whether deeply indebted France still needs its expensive nuclear deterrent in the post-Cold War world. Frances nuclear arsenal is considered a purely dissuasive means and is not intended for a normal battle situation. Posted by: Fred 2006-07-05 |
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