La France et les FNI

In: Politique étrangère: revue trimestrielle publiée par l'Institut Français des Relations Internationales, Band 53, Heft 1, S. 79-91

Abstract

France and the INF, by Bruno Racine
Though France declared its « unconcern » with NATO's 1979 « double décision », it is one of the Western countries in which the whole Euromissile issue has had the most important and far-reaching repercussions. The degree of change in the French position has been considerable. This article analyses the steps by which France, in spite of its firm initial choice in favour of a national policy of dissuasion, has become participant in the debate which it sought to eschew. It also examines how the goals of its national defence policy have been broadened without upsetting the internal consensus which, in spite of certain weaknesses, remains exceptional the Western world.