PARIS: France plans to axe nearly 10 percent of all jobs in the armed forces as it battles a financial crisis, a government review showed yesterday, in what critics said would reduce the country’s military clout.
The white paper, which sets the general direction of France’s defence policy, seeks a balance between the need to protect France from high-level threats and budgetary constraints as the country teeters on the verge of recession.
While reducing France’s deployable forces, the review calls for better cyber-defence and intelligence, with a particular focus on drones of its own.
France’s deficit of surveillance drones was highlighted during its recent intervention against Islamist rebels in Mali, where the United States deployed several Predator drones in support of French forces.
“If there is one common theme in what we wanted to implement with the white paper, it is to ensure the best training, the best equipment and the best possible intelligence for our armed forces. They deserve it,” French President Francois Hollande said.
Man faces charges in ricin letters case
TUPELO, Mississippi: A Mississippi martial arts instructor appeared in federal court yesterday to face charges in connection with mailing letters containing the deadly poison ricin to President Barack Obama and other US officials.
Everett Dutschke, 41, was arrested on Saturday in Tupelo, Mississippi, after authorities searched his former business and home. He is charged with developing and possessing ricin and attempting to use it as a weapon.
Wearing an orange prison jumpsuit, Dutschke responded briefly to a judge’s questions at the hearing in Oxford, Mississippi, on whether he understood the charges against him. The judge ordered a preliminary hearing be held on Thursday when prosecutors will present more detailed evidence in the case.
An indictment detailing the charges is under seal but could be made public later on Monday, said George Lucas, Dutschke’s court appointed attorney. Dutschke has denied having any involvement with the ricin letters and said he cooperated with federal officials during their searches.
Agencies
