Britain, France to take step toward closer defense cooperation: report
PLA Daily 2004-02-11
LONDON, Feb. 10 (Xinhuanet) -- Britain and France are to take a bold step toward closer defense cooperation by joining forces to create a string of highly trained, rapid-deployment units for combat in jungle, desert and mountain operations, the British Financial Times newspaper reported Tuesday.
The ambitious plan, expected to be unveiled to European Union (EU) chiefs later this week, is part of a strategy by France and Britain to beef up Europe's defense and for the European Union to take on more responsibility in promoting world stability by preventing atrocities and separating warring parties, the paper said.
Under the Anglo-French initiative, the battlegroups will consist of 1,500 troops, be capable of being deployed within 15 days and operate under a UN mandate and the missions will last up to 30 days and will be "appropriate for, but not limited to, use in failed or failing states, (of which most are in Africa)".
According to the paper, London and Paris want the plan acceptedby all member states by the time the Irish EU presidency ends on June 30 and troops to be available by 2007.
The EU originally wanted to create a rapid-reaction force of 60,000, but this has been scaled back because military capabilities would not stretch to the soldiers and equipment needed, the paper said. NATO was also re-assessing the make-up of its 21,000-strong NATO Response Force.
On the report, British Ministry of Defense said it was speculative, declining to make further comments.
The news of the Anglo-French initiative came as the leaders of France, Germany and Britain prepare to meet next week in a three-way summit that could deepen their mutual cooperation.
|
NEWSLETTER
|
| Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list |
|
|
|
