The security of France is the security of Europe… (Fr. Hollande)

(BRUXELLES2) In coming to the Institute for Advanced National Defense Studies (IHEDN) François Hollande today (May 24) made a point of restating his full conviction in the army and defense for France. " France was hailed for its intervention in Mali. I was able to measure the influence of France. France was expected, hoped for, hailed. She owes it to the military " he said, welcoming their " professionalism, efficiency, dedication ". A tribute he repeated several times. Beyond the imposed exercise, the president nevertheless responded to some criticisms and laid down some bases for the European Council in December. There " defense of France is also the security of Europe he concluded, thus linking the French need for national defense and its involvement with the allies.

A calibrated exercise

The words were weighed and the exercise calibrated. The intervention at the military school is part of a campaign by the French government to provide after-sales service for the White Paper on Defence. The French Defense Minister, Jean-Yves Le Drian is returning from a tour of Brussels, London, Washington and Moscow. And a good part of the diplomatic corps stationed in Paris had also been invited to attend the event in the Foch amphitheater today.

France does not lower its guard...

The important message to convey is that France is not letting its guard down. The A400M, the Barracuda... “no launched program will be stopped ". It is also about “preserving the defense industry”. For 2014, the budget will be 31,4 billion euros. be the same as in 2013 and 2012 " and of " 179,2 billion euros for the period 2014-2019” (not counting inflation and one-time expenses, this actually equates to a drop).

And pan...

The president has also peppered his speech with references that sound like so many responses to certain criticisms... or positions. Examples

The French army. With " 250.000 personnel employed in defense (*)” the French army represents the number “ the largest in Europe ". " It is a country that can speak because it has the means to be respected he asserted. And pan for Angela Merkel!

L'indecision. François Hollande highlights Clemenceau: “ First, we have to know what you want, then you have to have the courage to say it, then you need the energy to do it. Previous military programming laws have not really applied this principle to the letter. They said but were not always able to do”. And pan for his predecessors, Sarkozy and Chirac in particular!

nuclear deterrence. François Hollande defends the doctrine of "strict sufficiency" of nuclear deterrence followed by France as its cost. " I made the decision to keep 2 components – ocean and air. (...) This represents 11% of the budget. Is it too much to sanctuary our country? I do not think so. » There is security but also industry. " Innovation and research have enabled us to save money ". . Close the ban on the PS or on the left!

Afghanistan. . " I have decided on the withdrawal of combat troops in Afghanistan”. “I was told it's impossible, it's dangerous, I see that it's done. We only have troops in Afghanistan that comply with the Treaty of Friendship signed with Afghanistan. And pan for the criticisms that came from the armies during the electoral campaign!

Proposals for the December European Council

Faced with the deadline for the December European Council devoted to Defence, the President of the Republic reiterated his desire to present proposals in a concerted manner with all the partners: British and German, but also beyond. " Defense Europe is Europe as a whole including the one that was on the other side of the wall before 1989. He insisted on laying down three lines of principle for the French proposals:

• Consistency of action: These proposals “ will focus on our presence in the Balkans, Asia, the Middle East, the Mediterranean. Everywhere Europe must act in a way more coordinated. Is she thinking about what can be done better and cheaper? »

• Fill in the gaps. “Proposals” on “ air transport, aerial satellites, refueling, drones will be made. The objective is to make up for “the failures of the past”.

• Industrial policy. My " big concern is not only a big market, or a stable monetary zone, but also to have an industrial policy, and defense is one of them ". I want "to have European champions for our own security but also to maintain a defense industrial base for Europe".

NB: These three main lines remain however rather vague. There are questions and few answers. François Hollande thus follows his classic political line: ask the questions, keep the answers vague, negotiate the possible and reserve an announcement if necessary when the expectation has become too strong. But finding a European consensus with the United Kingdom and Germany is a challenge. At the moment of the presentation, Bro. Hollande remained elliptical. According to one of his relatives, interviewed by B2, it will certainly be after the German elections. This leaves very little time to both garner support and make bold proposals. The risk is now great that this summit is a summit for nothing. Which would be a notable mistake. And worse than no summit at all.