http://news.yam.com/afp/international/200803/20080327989435.html
沙柯吉籲開啟英法新頁 將增派駐阿富汗法軍
法新社╱張仲琬 2008-03-27 13:05
（法新社倫敦二十六日電）法國總統沙柯吉與魅力十足的新婚妻子布魯妮，今天在倫敦接受英國王室盛大接待。兩國歷經過去的外交低潮後，沙柯吉呼籲，海峽雙邊的英法關係應展開新的一章。
沙柯吉今天少見地在英國國會向共同集會的上下兩院發表演說，在溫莎城堡接受國宴款待、並獲得女王授予榮譽騎士勳章。
沙柯吉在英國國會大廈向國會議員表示：「我以法國人民之名，前來此處向英國人民提議，讓我們一同為我們的共同歷史譜下新頁、寫下新英法手足之交的一頁。」
沙柯吉在演說中提出最為具體的承諾，是法國將增派駐阿富汗法軍的數量。目前法國已有一千六百名駐阿軍隊，新增法軍將加入英軍，在前線與死灰復燃的阿富汗塔利班民兵作戰。
這位法國總統表示：「我們不能接受塔利班與蓋達組織回到喀布爾，就算獲得勝利十分困難，也不能失敗。」
沙柯吉並未透露增派駐阿富汗軍隊的數量，也並未指出增軍的派駐地點。然而，巴黎的消息人士表示，增軍將超過一千名軍隊。一般預料，細節將在下週北大西洋公約組織高峰會議公佈。
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20080327/wl_asia_afp/francebritaindiplomacyafghanistan_080327024218
Sarkozy offers more French troops for Afghanistan
Wed Mar 26, 10:42 PM ET
LONDON (AFP) - President Nicolas Sarkozy said Wednesday that France will boost its military presence in Afghanistan, a move welcomed by his allies in Britain and the United States.
Sarkozy put no figure on the number of extra troops for NATO's battle against Taliban insurgents -- details may be confirmed next week at a NATO summit in Bucharest -- but sources in Paris said it would be more than 1,000.
France currently has some 1,600 soldiers in the country, mainly in the relatively peaceful capital Kabul. It is unclear if the new French troops will deploy to the volatile south of the country, or other less dangerous areas.
The United States, Canada and Britain have long pressed their European NATO allies to stump up more forces in Afghanistan to face down the threat of a Taliban spring offensive in the violence-scarred country.
"France has proposed to its allies in the Atlantic alliance a coherent and comprehensive strategy to allow the Afghan people and their legitimate government to build peace," Sarkozy said.
"If these proposals are accepted, France will propose at the Bucharest summit strengthening its military presence," he added, in an address to both houses of Britain's House of Parliament on the first day of a state visit.
Although widely expected, Sarkozy's announcement was warmly welcomed in London and Washington. US national security adviser Stephen Hadley said: "Obviously that would be a very positive thing."
British Foreign Secretary David Miliband also welcomed Sarkozy's pledge. "A stronger French contribution will be more than welcome," he told AFP shortly after the address.
Sarkozy's offer was welcomed in Thursday morning's British press, with the Daily Telegraph writing that it "will have been music to the government's ears."
"Mr Sarkozy said the two countries were stronger when they stood with, rather than against, each other," the paper's editorial read.
Britain has some 7,800 soldiers stationed in Afghanistan, and has long pushed for other countries to do more, particularly in the south, where British troops in Helmand Province have suffered increasing casualties.
A total of 89 British troops have died in the country since US-led forces ousted the Taliban shortly after 9/11, according to the Ministry of Defence.
Sarkozy told the British lawmakers that "together, our two countries are determined to remain committed, side-by-side with all our allies, in Afghanistan where a crucial phase is being played out."
He did not elaborate on his new strategy in his address, but speaking to the BBC before arriving in Britain, Sarkozy said it meant putting more faith in the Afghans themselves, as military action could only be part of the solution.
Asked if France was planning to send more troops to Afghanistan, he replied: "It is a long-term commitment... If these conditions are fulfilled, why not go in with larger numbers?"
The April 2-4 NATO meeting in Bucharest is expected to see pledges of more troops from other countries in answer to calls for more assistance from the allies battling a resurgent Taliban in the south and east.
The hardline Islamist regime was ousted six years ago by a US-led invasion after it refused to give up Osama bin Laden, the Saudi-born militant and chief suspect for the September 11, 2001 attacks in the United States.
Sarkozy arrived in Britain with his new wife, Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, and was greeted by Queen Elizabeth II, who bestowed and honorary knighthood upon him.
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