France to reduce armed forces by a fifth

Preview, report and analysis of a White Paper published by the French Government on the 17 June 2008 outlining its future defence and national security priorities and strategy for France.

BBC News, 17.5.08: French defence to counter terror http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/7458650.stm

France: Ministry of Defence: English pages http://www.defense.gouv.fr/english/portail-defense

Deutsche Welle, 17.6.08: NATO Welcomes French Decision to Rejoin Military Command http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,2144,3420617,00.html

France: President of France: The French White Paper on defence and national security http://www.ambafrance-ca.org/IMG/pdf/Livre_blanc_Press_kit_english_version.pdf

France: President of the Republic: Press Pack, June 2008: The French White Paper on defence and national security (in English) http://www.elysee.fr/download/?mode=press&filename=Dossier_de_Presse_LBlanc_DSN_en_anglais.pdf

France: French Embassy in the United Kingdom: New French White Paper on defence and national security, June 2008 http://www.ambafrance-uk.org/New-French-White-Paper-on-defence.html

IISS: Discussion Meeting - François Heisbourg, 19 June 2008: France’s Defence White Paper: a National Security Policy for the 21st Century' http://www.iiss.org/events-calendar/2008-events-archive/june-2008/discussion-meeting-franois-heisbourg/

Atlantic Community.Org: Your opinion, 20 June 2008: France Adopts a Multilateral Defense Policy http://www.atlantic-community.org/index/articles/view/France_Adopts_a_Multilateral_Defense_Policy

The Independent, 18.6.08: The Big Question: What is the new French defence strategy, and should we follow suit? http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/the-big-question-what-is-the-new-french-defence-strategy-and-should-we-follow-suit-849171.html

---