 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| . |  |
. |
Sarkozy to open first Gulf military base in Abu Dhabi: report
Dubai (AFP) March 14, 2009 French President Nicolas Sarkozy is due to formally open his country's first Gulf-based military base in Abu Dhabi in May, the pan-Arab newspaper Asharq Al-Awsat said on Saturday The Saudi-owned paper quoted French diplomatic sources as saying that Sarkozy would travel to the United Arab Emirates to inaugurate the base amid efforts by France to bolster relations in the oil-rich Gulf region. In 2008 France signed an agreement with the UAE to set up its first permanent military base in Abu Dhabi, the wealthiest and largest of the nation's seven emirates. "It will be the first such French base in the Gulf and it will face the Strait of Hormuz," a French presidential source said in January 2008. The strategic Strait of Hormuz, which separates the UAE's neighbours Iran and Oman, is a vital conduit through which an estimated 40 percent of the world's crude oil passes. French officials said last year that the base will eventually host 400-500 French army, navy and air force personnel. France is a leading military supplier to the UAE, and the two countries are linked by a 1995 defence pact. Share This Article With Planet Earth
Related Links Learn about the Superpowers of the 21st Century at SpaceWar.com Learn about nuclear weapons doctrine and defense at SpaceWar.com
China navy criticises dispatch of US destroyers: state media
Beijing (AFP) March 13, 2009Chinese navy officers warned the dispatch of US destroyers to protect a surveillance vessel involved in a standoff with Chinese ships is an inappropriate response, state media said Friday. |
|
|
| The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2007 - SpaceDaily.AFP and UPI Wire Stories are copyright Agence France-Presse and United Press International. ESA Portal Reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement,agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by SpaceDaily on any Web page published or hosted by SpaceDaily. Privacy Statement |
del.icio.us
Digg
Reddit
YahooMyWeb
Google
Facebook