France - Bastille Day

France committed to Afghan mission, says Sarkozy

Article published on the 2009-07-14 Latest update 2009-07-14 14:03 TU

At the Place de la Concorde Tuesday (L-R) President Nicolas Sarkozy, Nato Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer's wife Jeannine, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh'ss wife Gursharan Kaur, Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen's wife Bun Rany Hun Sen.
(Photo: Reuters)

French troops will stay in Afghanistan, as part of the Nato mission there, French President Nicolas Sarkozy said on state-owned France 2 television, during Bastille Day celebrations Tuesday. And he promised that billions of euros will be invested in the military so that France will continue to be "recognised as a great power".

Despite an increase in attacks by the Taliban and a growing debate in Britain on its involvement in Afghanistan, France remains committed to the international forces there, Sarkozy said.

Recalling last year's attack on French soldiers, in which ten died, Sarkozy said that there is no backing down in face of the Islamist movement.

"We are not going to allow the return of the Taliban, who cut off the hands of young girls who wore nail varnish, who decided that girls couldn't go to school, who shut up women in the burka, who stoned so-called adulterers," he said. "We can't allow that."

France will invest 377 billion euros in the military over the next 12 years, Sarokzy announced, saying that it will be put towards modern intelligence-gathering and protective equipment.

Responding to concerns that a recent defence review will reduce the number of troops and bases, Sarkozy said that the troops will be better armed and protected and that they are adapting with "brio" to the changes.

"The challenge for tomorrow is to have a France, with its 65 million people, recognised as a great power. That our voice be heard," he said.

The French senate is expected to vote on Wednesday to approve a five year military reform programme which will see 80 units abolished and 54,000 jobs cut among military and civilian defence staff.