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France has no immediate plans to pull out of Afghanistan
France has no plans to pull out of Afghanistan, Prime Minister Francois Fillon said Tuesday, although he suggested there could be modifications in the troop presence.
There was speculation that France might withdraw its 1,100 troops when it pulled out 200 elite Special Forces in December. The question returned when President Nicolas Sarkozy, elected May 6, said while campaigning that France has no reason to remain in Afghanistan on a long-term basis.
The withdrawal question gained force after militant Taliban kidnapped two French and three Afghan aid workers April 3 to press demands that France pull out its troops. The last three captives, Afghan aid workers, were freed May 27.
Fillon, speaking at a news conference with Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, said France is not about to leave.
France "has no project to disengage in Afghanistan. It will remain faithful to its commitments and to its allies," he said.
He added, however, that officials "intend an evolution (of the troop presence) in order to become yet more efficient and, in particular, better assure the training of the Afghan army."
Such language implies that the numbers or the mission of the French troops in Afghanistan could be adjusted.
After a meeting with French President Nicolas Sarkozy, the Canadian prime minister said that Canada and France have a common approach to Afghanistan.
Sarkozy "obviously doesn't view (France's) presence in Afghanistan as permanent, but at the same time he's committed to work with our allies, and committed to success there," said Harper,
Harper said that his country was holding firm with its 2,500 soldiers in Afghanistan.
Polls have shown that a majority of Canadians want their soldiers home once the current commitment is up in 2009.
France has no immediate plans to pull out of Afghanistan(Over)
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