La France et L'OTAN: L'Integration de la Defense en Europe
Abstract
In spite of the complex relations between France and the Organization of the Treaty of the Northern Atlantic, the military cooperation between the two entities was always maintained. Signed on April 4, 1949, the Treaty of North Atlantic founded a traditional alliance between the States of North America and those of western Europe. The release of the war of Korea, in June 1950, led to the installation of a permanent military and political structure: the Organization of the Treaty of Atlantic North (NATO), instituted officially on September 20, 1951. But France, under the presidency of General de Gaulle, left the integrated command of NATO on February 21,1966. On one side, France had advantage of cooperation with the integrated command which continued to exist after the rupture. The absence of France of the military aspect of NATO weakened the capacity of the French army. The role of NATO is today as important as during the cold war and it showed a considerable effectiveness during its recent deployments aiming at fulfilling its original mission, to maintain peace in Europe and in the world. Like James Baker, former American minister of the American state, recalled in an interview to the Figaro the first of February 1996: "NATO is the most effective military alliance in history." France must have further thoughts on the role of its defense in the maintenance of its sovereignty.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 28, 1998
- Accession Number
- ADA359668
Entities
People
- Eve A. Douglas
Organizations
- Air Force Institute of Technology