German liberal MEP Alexander Graf Lambsdorff, part of a group of deputies actively debating the diplomatic service, told press on Friday (19 March) that the proposal is "a continuation of French policy by other means."The MEP, who hails from the same party as German foreign minister Guido Westerwelle and who says his concerns are largely shared by the German foreign ministry, identified two problems with the draft set-up. He said it accords too much power to the secretary general of the service, on the model of the French foreign ministry, and isolates the military (ESDP) part of the service away from political governance.
The MEP, who hails from the same party as German foreign minister Guido Westerwelle and who says his concerns are largely shared by the German foreign ministry, identified two problems with the draft set-up.
He said it accords too much power to the secretary general of the service, on the model of the French foreign ministry, and isolates the military (ESDP) part of the service away from political governance.
AFP - Britain and France will work together more closely on nuclear defence, Prime Minister Gordon Brown said Friday, after a report that the two countries could share submarine patrols. Brown said he had reached an agreement with French President Nicolas Sarkozy on nuclear cooperation during Sarkozy's visit to London last week. "UK and French cooperation is at its highest level," he told reporters in London. "We have agreed a degree of co-operation that is, I think, greater than we have had previously but we will retain, as will France, our independent nuclear deterrent". Brown gave no further details, but he stressed that he and his government "do not see the case for us withdrawing the independent nuclear deterrent that we have".
Brown said he had reached an agreement with French President Nicolas Sarkozy on nuclear cooperation during Sarkozy's visit to London last week.
"UK and French cooperation is at its highest level," he told reporters in London.
"We have agreed a degree of co-operation that is, I think, greater than we have had previously but we will retain, as will France, our independent nuclear deterrent".
Brown gave no further details, but he stressed that he and his government "do not see the case for us withdrawing the independent nuclear deterrent that we have".
although absolutely nobody has ever given anything like a plausible reason why we keep it. And at vast expense.
I think the real reason lies in the self-regard of vain and pompous politicians. keep to the Fen Causeway
