The stationing of foreign weapons on French territory, including nuclear weapons, was also banned. This decision also led to the removal of French forces from NATO commands and foreign forces from French territory. In practical terms, while France still fully participated in the political structures of the Organization, it was no longer represented on certain committees, for instance, the Defence Planning Committee and the Nuclear Planning Group. This reflected the desire for greater military independence, particularly vis-à-vis the United States, and the refusal to integrate France's nuclear deterrent or accept any form of control over its armed forces. ![]() In 1966, President Charles de Gaulle decided to withdraw France from NATO's integrated military structure. Since 2008, air policing has been conducted on a periodic basis by NATO Allies. In 2006, US forces were withdrawn but the defence agreement remains valid. ![]() Since 1951, Iceland has also benefitted from a long-standing bilateral defence agreement with the United States. ![]() However, Iceland has a Coast Guard, national police forces, an air defence system and a voluntary expeditionary peacekeeping force. There is no legal impediment to forming them, but Iceland has chosen not to have any. When Iceland signed the Treaty in 1949, it did not have – and still does not have – armed forces. The memberships of Iceland and France, for instance, illustrate this point. Although each and every signatory to the North Atlantic Treaty is subject to the obligations of the Treaty, there remains a certain degree of flexibility which allows members to choose how they participate. On signing the Treaty, countries voluntarily commit themselves to participating in the political consultations and military activities of the Organization.
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