FRANCE:FRENCH PRESIDENT Nicolas Sarkozy announced cuts in France's atomic arsenal yesterday, but vowed to keep a strong enough deterrent against threats such as the possibility of a nuclear-armed Iran.
Speaking at the launch of France's fourth of its latest generation of nuclear-armed submarines, the Terrible (Fearsome), Mr Sarkozy said his nation had to face new security threats, including Iran, and needed to be able to strike back forcefully if attacked.
"Everyone must be aware today that even far-flung powers' nuclear missiles can reach Europe in less than half an hour," he said at the northern port of Cherbourg.
While only major powers had such means today, countries in Asia and the Middle East were conducting a "forced march" to acquire such ballistic missile capabilities, he added. "I am thinking in particular of Iran. Iran is increasing the range of its missiles, while grave suspicions hang over its nuclear programme. Europe's security is at stake."
He noted that an experts' commission would present proposals on security and national defence reform in the coming weeks, but he said the defence budget would not be cut. But he pledged to keep tight control of spending on France's nuclear deterrent, which he said matched the equivalent of half the national justice or transport budgets, and said the atomic arsenal would be kept to the strict minimum necessary.
He said the airborne nuclear strike force would be cut by a third, leaving France with fewer than 300 warheads. "That is half the maximum number of warheads we had during the cold war," he said.
"In the face of proliferation, the international community must be united, the international community must be resolute. Because we want peace, we must be without weakness with those who violate international norms," Mr Sarkozy said in a thinly veiled reference to the Islamic republic.
He proposed measures to limit nuclear stockpiles and put an end to weapons testing after his predecessor Jacques Chirac sparked international outrage by testing arms in the south Pacific shortly after his 1995 election.
France has since signed and ratified the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty and he called on other countries to do the same, including nuclear powers China and the United States. He also suggested setting further limits on proliferation.
Mr Sarkozy said talks should start on a treaty banning production of fissile materials for nuclear weapons and proposed talks on a treaty banning short- and medium-range ground-to-ground missiles, a category which includes Scud-type rockets.
Britain and France are to sign a deal to construct a new generation of nuclear power stations and export the technology around the world in an effort to combat climate change. The pact is to be announced at the "Arsenal summit" next week when prime minister Gordon Brown and President Nicolas Sarkozy will meet at the Emirates stadium in north London. Britain hopes to take advantage of French expertise to build the power stations that do not rely on fossil fuels. Almost 79 per cent of France's electricity comes from its nuclear power industry. The UK's ageing nuclear plants are ready for decommissioning and supply 20 per of its energy needs. -