France will send troops if consulted

Washington - French President Jacques Chirac said last night France was ready to send special forces to Afghanistan so long as…

Washington - French President Jacques Chirac said last night France was ready to send special forces to Afghanistan so long as the US involved Paris in the planning of military operations.

Mr Chirac, who met President Bush earlier yesterday said a request for "additional troops" had come on Sunday from the US military chiefs of staff. He added that France had already made 2,000 troops available for the war against terrorism, but he did not elaborate.

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