Afghanistan: withdrawal maximum security

The planned withdrawal of the French armies engaged in Afghanistan since 2008, is accelerating. More than 2000 men and 2000 tons of material have already left the country. To perform this maneuver logistics to its end, or the summer of 2013, freedom of action and security areas are essential.

The process of lightening the French forces began in 2011. In May 2012, François Hollande, president and army chief, calls for the acceleration of the movement. During the year 2012, the armies proceeded to withdraw about 2,100 troops and 2,000 tons of equipment. To allow convoys reach Kabul, security zones and areas is a key element. A security driven primarily by Task Force La Fayette 6 (TFLF 6) , commanded by Brigadier-Hautecloque Raysz between April 14 and November 25, 2012, and composed of groupings arms tactics (CATF) Steel , Wild Geese and Helicopter Battalion 

From May to July, tactical operations chained themselves to maintain the security of the axis Vermont, only practicable route between Kabul and Tagab. In April, " the insurgency led harassment actions in the area of Tagab , "says Colonel LAROUZIERE, commander GTIA Steel. Before starting the withdrawal of Tagab, sub-GTIA Tagab and Nijrab supported combat operations to the Afghan National Army (ANA), in Kapisa. The goal: to create a bubble of security around the FOB to perform the removal in a safe manner optimal. "  In five months, forty operations were mounted and we went more than thirty times in the fire , "says Captain H., unit commander of the sub-GTIA Tagab. And Colonel LAROUZIERE added: "  We were in contact to disrupt the insurgency and disrupt. While leading the ANA twenty-two transactions per month, we took over. "

Bye bye Kabul: the story of the French disengagement

REPORT to KABUL | The last flight of French fighting forces left Kabul. It will take six months to repatriate all 1200 vehicles and containers as much of the French army.

In order. But no battle disengagement, according the semantic precision of the military.

Do not tell them that the coalition of forty-seven NATO countries will never overcome these insurgents of all stripes beard. International jihadists, Taliban local interests and objectives fuzzy variables, Mujahideen hardened by a life of war, here are the masters of the majestic mountains and rocky valleys.

" The insurgents have still picked up well. The average age of Taliban commanders has dropped from 31 to 27 years , "says an officer, without being able to check the reliability of the statistical deadly. And interest because it is better to go to the old to negotiate rather than young dogs crazy. It adds a slightly bitter observation: " It was the right time to go. For them and for us. Before the Afghans see us as enemy aliens, as the occupier. "

The French leave (pictured, a convoy carrying VAB to the storage area of Kabul airport) and the future of Afghanistan remains unresolved. " The region was occupied by the French (district of Surobi and Kapisa) is now led by the Afghan National Army (ANA). And the insurgents have not taken the hand. This is evidence of their effectiveness , "says Colonel Antonelli, head of the training mission Epidote.

Further down in ranks, we find less convinced. " The Afghan soldiers are tough but the evil I do not give them five years before getting to defend Kabul , "said Master Corporal Loïc original douaisienne. Camp Warehouse, east of Kabul, where are grouped the ultimate French forces, "the leader" of poker or karaoke evenings of the 1st company of the 35th Infantry Regiment Belfort would have stayed a few more months. For compensation multiplied by more than two according to rank and marital status, and not subject to income tax ...

End of mission for the fighters of Afghanistan

The Defence Minister, Jean-Yves Le Drian, hosted Saturday, December 8, 2012 in Paphos, on the island of Cyprus, a group of 153 French soldiers returning from Afghanistan. They expressed the gratitude of the nation for commitment of French forces in the country since 2001.

Saturday, December 8, 2012, the Minister of Defence, Jean-Yves Le Drian, came to meet 153 French soldiers returning from Afghanistan, on the occasion of their visit to Cyprus decompression chamber.Wishing to stand alongside some of the last troops engaged in combat operations, the Minister expressed the gratitude of the Nation with regard to the mission carried out by our forces in Afghanistan since 2001.

In his speech on the tarmac of the airport of Paphos, Cyprus, Jean-Yves Le Drian was first saluted the memory of the 88 French soldiers who sacrificed their lives in this theater. The Minister pointed to the soldiers the courage of their wounded comrades during operation. He said: "It is with a sense of accomplishment that you get in France. You will soon be in your home. In two weeks, you will celebrate Christmas with family. You will find those that you like and that you have missed so much. It was a commitment that the President had taken before the French. The honored here. "

The minister then embedded with the 153 soldiers on board the Airbus of Air Force, to join France.

France maintains its position as the fourth largest arms exporter

The Ministry of Defence yesterday presented to Parliament the report on arms exports to France. In 2011, the export orders amounted to 6.5 billion euros in France now the leading exporting countries in a market increasingly competitive. This figure represents an increase of 27% compared to 5.12 billion orders in 2010. Over the period 2006-2011, France has maintained its fourth place. The two main contracts that derive results last year were the renovation of Indian Mirage 2000 and the two PCBs for Russia. Note that the Asia Pacific region has made a remarkable rise in the share of French exports last year with 42% of orders (India, Malaysia ...). Over the past five years, the Middle East (Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates mainly) remains the leading French customer with 26% of controls.

Note that the 350 SMEs in the defense sector represent between 3% and 5% of total direct exports. The report notes that a new information system for the administrative management of export licenses (SIGALE) will be implemented in July 2013, in particular to facilitate access to these markets for SMEs (electronic procedures, deposits line ...).

"Results honorable" said Jean-Yves Le Drian, which is not the case in 2012, called the "worst year" by the Minister, due to reports of contracts for technical or political reasons. 2013 announcement against under good omens, and negotiations are underway on major contracts.

The defense industry represents 165,000 jobs in France and generates an annual turnover of 16 billion euros. The next report will be published in six months.

Bull Unveils sphone, Its New Range of Ultra-secure Mobile Phones

With sphone, Bull delivers an integrated solution designed to protect against intrusions and the theft of personal data

Paris | Bull - the specialist in open, secure systems - and its subsidiary Time Reversal Communications is today unveiling its sphone range of ultra-secure mobile phones.

Designed primarily for governments, ministries, essential operators and businesses dealing with sensitive data, sphone is the first mobile phone featuring native hardware security to provide integrated protection against intrusions and the theft of personal data or of the device itself. sphone secures communications end to end, including voice calls and SMS messages as well as local data stored on the phone such as the directory, the call log and the bulk memory.

The first sphone mobiles have already been successfully deployed in France, Europe, Asia and the Middle East.

"Existing secure communications solutions only offer applications that can be downloaded and installed on commercial phones or smartphones," explains Franck Gréverie, Executive Vice-President of Bull's Security Solutions Business Line. "But these solutions do not cover all the threats that users face. Having developed the entire phone - from the hardware to the applications - we have been able to incorporate an integral high-level, certified security engine, while also guaranteeing the performance of the end product. We worked on the entire operating system to develop modules that protect against all the various different threats. With sphone, we are delighted to be able to provide our customers with a solution that allows them to communicate with total peace of mind."

In France completes its legal arsenal against terrorism

The French Council of Ministers shall examine a text Wednesday to quell military training to foreign persons suspected of planning attacks. The purpose of this text by François Hollande promised and the Minister of the Interior, Manuel Valls, is to fill a lacuna highlighted, according to police, the case of Mohamed Merah, which killed seven people last March. Specialists safety issues bemoan the lack, France, texts to suppress jihadist training camps abroad, like those for pedophile offenses outside France.

This project on the security and the fight against terrorism must allow to suppress military training to foreign persons suspected of planning attacks.

President François Hollande hoped that the anti-terrorism bill discussed Wednesday by the Council of Ministers, six months after the killing of Mohamed Merah or "adopted if possible before the end of the year," reported the government spokesman Najat Belkacem-Vallaud.

This project on security and the fight against terrorism was presented by the Minister of the Interior Manuel Valls. This text should help quell military training to foreign persons suspected of planning attacks. The aim is: to fill a lacuna highlighted, according to police, the case of Mohamed Merah, which killed seven people last March.

Sentenced to ten years in prison and a fine of € 225,000

The text gives French courts a "universal competence to judge the acts of terrorism committed by French nationals abroad," the Interior Ministry. Article 2 creates a new section of the Criminal Code (113-13), stating that "the criminal law applies to crimes as acts of terrorism and repression (as such), committed by a French national outside the territory of the Republic. "

Until, that the French courts consider such acts had to challenge the authorities of the country concerned, determine the facts, denounced France and lead to completion of extradition proceedings. The text does not specify penalties, since they remain unchanged, ten years in prison and a fine of € 225,000.

"A very high level" terrorist threat

"The terrorist threat remains in France at a very high level. Toulouse events in March on our soil (Case Merah) remain in everyone's minds," said Dr. Belkacem in his report, arguing that it was " necessary for our country to develop the administrative and judicial capacity. "

"Instruments already performing against terrorism exist in France, but it was necessary to arrive today to better detect individual paths as collective shift towards radicalization and terrorist violence, better get to identify sectors of transport to the indoctrination camps that may exist in a number of countries, "she developed.

It also detect "the spread of radicalism and jihadism on the Internet or to identify those returning to France after training or participation in a terrorist nature of conflicts around the world." Thus, the project extends further "three years" the ability to monitor in an administrative data connection from the phone or internet, but want to get the perpetuation of this system.

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Euronext Paris: France completes its legal arsenal against terrorism

The French Council of Ministers shall examine a text Wednesday to quell military training to foreign persons suspected of planning attacks.
The purpose of this text by François Hollande promised and the Minister of the Interior, Manuel Valls, is to fill a lacuna highlighted, according to police, the case of Mohamed Merah, which killed seven people last March.
In the fight against terrorism, the legal "shall, whenever necessary, be adapted and improved", said François Hollande last month at a ceremony in tribute to the victims of terrorism.
The President confirmed the preparation of a bill "pulling including the findings of Toulouse and Montauban dramas" to "make even more effective the struggle against all forms of terrorism, even the most elaborate."
Mohamed Merah, claiming the young Islamist al Qaeda has killed seven people in Toulouse and Montauban March after making stays suspects in Afghanistan and Pakistan-Afghanistan area.
Specialists safety issues bemoan the lack, France, texts to suppress jihadist training camps abroad, like those for pedophile offenses outside France.
Lawyers noted however that Mohamed Merah should have been identified by intelligence criticized for their alleged failure in this case.
The links between the young and the Islamic Central Directorate of Internal Intelligence (DCRI) are a source of questions.
Mohamed Merah has been questioned in Toulouse November 14, 2011 upon his return from a trip to Afghanistan, unmolested. The plaintiffs suspect he was recruited as an agent by the French before the fool.
The young French was killed March 22 in Toulouse by Raid, an elite unit, in an assault on his home where he was cut off for more than 30 hours. (Julien Ponthus and Elizabeth Pineau, edited by Yves Clarisse)

Afghanistan: transfer of authority from the French camp on the basis of Kandahar Airfield

On 6 September 2012, responsibility for the Kandahar Airfield area occupied by the French detachment was sent to the Belgian detachment OGF 12-05 (Operation Guarding Falcon).

This transfer of authority ceremony was chaired by Lieutenant Colonel Stanghellini, commanding the detachment at Kandahar air, and Major Claisse, head of the Belgian detachment. During the ceremony, the French flag was lowered in order to make room for the Belgian flag. However, until the actual closing of the French air detachment in Kandahar, the two detachments - one French and one Belgian - will rub on the Kandahar base.

Warsaw wants to create a missile defense system with Paris and Berlin

Poland wants to create its own missile defense system in cooperation with France and Germany and other allies, said Saturday the Polish Defence Minister Tomasz Siemoniak the Polish Press Agency.

"We want to do in cooperation with France, Germany and other allies of Poland. NATO supports these initiatives to achieve a certain overall level of defense. This is an" intelligent defense . "This cooperation is needed when the projects are so expensive," said M.Siemoniak.

The creation of a Polish missile defense system would cost between $ 3 and $ 6 billion, according to the minister.

Afghanistan: the French army left the Surobi district

Important step in the withdrawal of the French army in Afghanistan to be completed in late 2013, the troops have officially left the Surobi district Tuesday. Of the 4,000 French soldiers in the country in mid-2011, about 2,950 will still be deployed in late August, reaching the threshold of 1400 in late December 2012, had indicated on July 12 the General Staff of Armed

The French army officially left Tuesday Surobi district, near Kabul, an important step of withdrawing its troops from Afghanistan to be completed in late 2013, said a journalist from AFP. Surobi, whose control was formally transferred to Afghan forces on April 12, was one of three major deployment of some 3,000 French troops still present in the country with the neighboring province of Kapisa and Kabul.

Some 650 French soldiers, mostly from the 92nd Infantry Regiment of Clermont-Ferrand, were recently deployed in Surobi. Only a hundred of them returned to France. The rest will remain stationed in Kabul as part of a rapid reaction force. Their departure was marked by a brief ceremony to lower the French flag and raising of the flag of Afghanistan on the basis of Surobi in the presence of about thirty French soldiers and many Afghan soldiers.

Goal of 1,400 men to end December 2012

Of the 4,000 French soldiers in Afghanistan in mid-2011, about 2,950 will still be deployed in late August, reaching the threshold of 1400 in late December 2012, had indicated on July 12 the General Staff of the army. The schedule established by the President Francois Hollande provides for the withdrawal of about 2,000 men of "fighting forces" by the end of 2012, two years before the scheduled departure of the rest of the international force of NATO (ISAF), under the banner of which the French are deployed. In addition, 1,400 French troops remain in the country in 2013 to ensure the withdrawal of equipment and further training of the army and the Afghan police, themselves supposed to ensure the security of the country, always in conflict, after the withdrawal of ISAF.

Choosing French Submarines over German?

 

A German team is due in few days probably on August 5th according tosources to look into possibility of signing the accord for provision ofU-214 submarines to Pakistan Navy.

However reports appearing in the media suggest that the deal may hitsnags due to change of mind in the current Pakistani government overpurchase of German submarines.

In 2008 Pakistan Navy under chief of navel staff Admiral MuhammadAfzal Tahir made efforts for including German 214 Class submarines inits fleet and owing to Navy’s persistent efforts, the government hadapproved plans for acquisition of these submarines to be built atKarachi Shipyard under transfer of technology programme.

The details were later worked out between the two countries when a Pakistan Navy delegation visited Germany in April.
However recently quoting Pakistani government sources, the FinancialTimes Deutschland says President Asif Zardari may overrule hismilitary’s preference for the German subs to take up a “better offer”from France.
But what better submarines France can offer to Pakistan? That is aquestion to ponder because France has no better submarines to offer Pakistan at the moment whereas French are indeed not ready to offer usnuclear submarine.

 What France has in store? :
There are three options 1. Scorpion, 2. Marlin and 3. Barracudasubmarines. But again the Scorpions are not superior to U 214, neitherthese will be having any benefit for Pakistan because French companyDCN is already going to provide Scorpion to Indian Navy ahead ofPakistan.
U-214 is way better than French design given to India. Marlin isjust on drawing board and will take forever to go to prototype stageand then test and evaluation and finally induction into Pakistan Navymeanwhile India will have all its Scorpion in sea. DCN (Direction desConstructions Navales ), France will not be able to fulfill Pakistaniorder ahead of Indians. The success of Marlin, or weather or not itwill be better than U-214 German sub cannot be predicted. Currently,U-214 for the best non-nuclear submarine in the world, and our friendsin Turkey will soon produce it at home with the license of production.
Now the only option for Pakistan will be to ask for Barracudasubmarine but it is unlikely that France will sell us nuclearsubmarine. Barracuda is a nuclear powered submarine and France does notcurrently allow the sale of nuclear-propelled submarines.
Despite having French Agosta-90B submarines, the Pakistani Navyopted for purchasing German Torpedoes for fitting to Agosta-90B due tothe superior German technology.
Pakistan Navy needs German submarines because the German U-214 subs are far better than the French Scorpion.
If the current government goes for inferior quality Frenchsubmarines then it will indeed give weight to suspicion of manyPakistanis who see bribes as main factor behind any irrationaldecisions viz viz defence deals.
Already the Pakistani senators have demanded in an incamera briefing from Pakistani Naval chief in the Senate.
Whereas some eyebrows have also been raised over the fact thatforeign secretary Salman Bashir in the current government of Zardari isthe brother of Naval Chief, Noman Bashir and there are also somereports that PIA chairman is going to be named Pakistani envoy toFrance. Some political pundits see such an appointment an attempt tomuster a deal for French submarines.
On the other hand submarine acquisition project (SMAP) a groupcomposed of Naval officers who have recommended U-214 submarines overother options after extensive study has been disbanded and the officershave been posted out at different stations.
Though earlier the Germans have delayed the deal due to politicalsituation of Pakistan but can kickoff cutting of hull for firstsubmarine immediately after signing the deal.
In such a situation going for something which does not fulfill therequirement of Pakistan Navy would be tantamount to putting thenational defence at risk.
There is no reason not to go for German submarines specially whenBerlin even granted federal export credit guarantees worth nearly $1.4billion for the purchase of the same.

The Drian in Afghanistan, the third stage of a mission diplomatic and logistic

Jean-Yves Le Drian has a hook (logic) Kabul before returning to France. After Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, the defense minister, arrived for his third visit to Afghanistan. The program includes meetings with the Afghan authorities and the French command.

One option currently used for the removal of the material involves a first stage air: the material is loaded at Kabul airport on which France will take responsibility on October 1,

Jean-Yves Le Drian in Kazakhstan to discuss the French withdrawal from Afghanistan

PARIS - The Defence Minister, Jean-Yves Le Drian, arrived Sunday in Kazakhstan, for a visit during which he must in particular be meeting with the Kazakh authorities, the withdrawal of French forces from Afghanistan, has was learned from an adviser to the minister.

When he arrived early Sunday afternoon in Pavlodar, northeast of the country, Mr. Le Drian had a first meeting with Kazakh Prime Minister Karim Massimov, it was clear from the same source. He will meet Monday Kazakh Minister of Defense Adilbek Djaksibekov in the capital Astana.

The talks must include details of the move by Kazakhstan of the French troops withdraw from Afghanistan and their equipment, it was stressed. The Civil-Military Cooperation between Paris and Astana is also on the agenda of the visit, the duration was not specified.

Discussions are currently underway, at bilateral and NATO, with the countries bordering Afghanistan to allow passage of the convoys of the multinational force (ISAF) who are withdrawing from that country.

Withdrawal from Afghanistan. Jean-Yves Le Drian prepares an exit from the north

By the end of the year, France will have removed 2,000 of the 3,500 soldiers in Afghanistan présnets.The bulk of the troops was repatriated by air. But the material must go by land or sea. Several scenarios are being considered, including that which now works on Tuesday and Jean-Yves Le Drian, defense minister, traveling in Uzbekistan. This Sunday, Jean-Yves Le Drian has already prepared the ground in Kazakhstan. [

The withdrawal of the equipment must be here, using a mixed air to Abu Dhabi (UAE), then shipping to France. In total, about 800 vehicles - heavy armor, VAB ... - And more than 1,000 containers, have yet to be repatriated, the French troops deployed in Afghanistan with the equipment being often the most sophisticated armies.

But the passage from the north would reduce such costs. Two scenarios are considered.

. A transit agreement with Kazakhstan and would open one of two possible routes north, air from Kabul to Kazakhstan (Astana), then rail to the Baltic states. The dialogue is well advanced in this direction, the Kazakh government is rather clear agreement.

. Another possible route, passing through Uzbekistan (Tashkent) should be the focus of discussion of Mr. Le Drian with the authorities of that country. Discussions are ongoing.

France warns West would be drawn into Mali offensive

France warned that Western forces would be drawn into an offensive against al-Qaeda strongholds in Mali as concerns mount that fundamentalists have established a mini-state.

Laurent Fabius, the French foreign minister, warned that the spread of al-Qaeda allies in Mali could create a base for radical extremists to train and stage attacks on Europe.

The US State Department spokesman added that America was gravely concerned about the Islamist takeover of a vast swathe of territory surrounding Timbuktu.

In a significant shift of French policy, Mr Fabius said that its forces would deploy and spearhead an assault on the area. Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), an offshoot of the terror outfit, and Ansar al-Dine, a local group, took advantage of a coup and the virtual collapse of the Malian state in January to seize control of the area.

"It's a serious situation because it is the first time terrorists have taken root in important cities and could be in a situation to implant themselves in an entire country," Mr Fabius said. "They have a lot of money, heavy weapons, they are ready to die and their main enemy is France. You have this risk ... and threat that what is happening in northern Mali can happen in other areas."

Mali's fledgling government has sought international backing for a military campaign to retake the territory. Officials said it would ask the International Criminal Court (ICC) to investigate killings, rapes, torture, and attacks on cultural sites in the rebel-controlled north.

The ICC said it was considering investigating rapes and killings that had been committed since fighting erupted in Mali's desert north in January.

President Barack Obama authorised the use of $10 million (£6.5 million) in emergency funds on Thursday for people displaced by the conflict in northern Mali.

The funds will support efforts of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, White House National Security Council spokesman Tommy Vietor said.

Almost 230,000 Malian refugees have fled to Algeria, Burkina Faso, Mauritania and Niger, while an additional 155,000 Malians are internally displaced,

French Have Lost 12 Sperwer UAVs in Afghanistan

The French Army has lost 12 interim tactical UAVs in operations since the Sperwer air systems were deployed in Afghanistan in 2008, a spokesman for the joint forces said.
 
Eight of the units were lost in flight during missions and four were damaged in landings, Army Col. Thierry Burkhard told journalists June 28.
 
The Army is withdrawing its Sperwer fleet from the Afghan theater, where the air vehicle has flown 770 missions and clocked 2,100 flight hours. The Army will still have the Drac, a mini-UAV from EADS Cassidian.
 
There are 30 Sperwer units in the Army inventory, including six bought secondhand from the Canadian Army, a spokesman for the Direction Générale de l’Armement procurement office said.
 
A further five units were recently ordered, two for delivery by the end of 2012 and three in 2013, intended to maintain the capability.
 
The French land forces deployed the Sperwer tactical UAV in Afghanistan Oct. 15, 2008, with a first flight Nov. 9, after a routine Army patrol ran into a deadly ambush Aug. 18 in the Uzbin valley that left 10 French soldiers dead.

CRAB Combat Reconnaissance Armoured Buggy Panhard - France

 

 

The CRAB, Combat Reconnaissance Armoured Buggy, is a new concept of combat armoured vehicle, able to be used for a large range of missions: raids, recce, security, area control, and support to Special Forces operations.

The CRAB includes a couple of cutting-edge technologies: a survival cell with a high level of protection, and a remote controlled weapon system. Its very high all-terrain speed, its agility, and its manoeuvrability. Its low weight increases the yield of airlift deployments (3 CRABs in an A400M).

Specifications

Crew: 3

Length: 5.00 m

Width: 2.50 m

Height (without any weapon): 1.80 m

Gross vehicle weight rating: 10.000 kg

Wheel base: 3.25 m

Maximum speed: 110 km/h

Angle of approach: 66°

Angle of egress: 60°

Road clearance: 0.40 m

Gradient: 60%

Side slope: 30%

Fording: 1 m

Range: 800 km

Amphibious: no

Engine (EURO 3 turbo diesel): STEYR M13 320 hp + electric booster

Engine power: 235 kW at 3800 rpm

Maximum torque: 630 Nm at 2300 rpm

Gearbox: automatic Mercedes 6

Suspension: hydro-pneumatic and variable attitude

Sphinx wheeled armoured reconnaissance combat vehicle Panhard - France

The Sphinx is Panhard's technical and industrial response to the French army's EBRC (Recce and combat WAV - wheeled armoured vehicle) program.

It includes Panhard's know-how in the area of light platforms, and Lockheed Martin's know-how for the CTA 40 weapon system.

With 16-tons in combat configuration, it will be possible to airlift the sphinx in A400Ms, on the basis of a couple of vehicles per aircraft. This constrained weight also means reduced procurement cost and operational maintenance costs.

Specifications

Crew: 3

Length: 5.50 m

Width: 3.00 m

Height (without any weapon): 2.61 m

Gross vehicle weight rating: 10.000 kg

Wheel base: 1.950 et 1.550 mm

Maximum speed: 110 km/h

Angle of approach: 60°

Angle of egress: 60°

Road clearance: 0.40 m

Gradient: 60%

Side slope: 30%

Fording: 1.20 m

Range: 1000 km

Amphibious: no

Engine (EURO 3 turbo diesel): Mercedes V6 550 hp

Engine power: 404 kW at 2300 rpm

Maximum torque: 2000 Nm at 1500 rpm

Gearbox: ZF Auto 6

Suspension: hydro-pneumatic and variable attitude
Ballistic protection (STANAG 4569): 4
Mine protection (STANAG 4569): 3b 

Withdrawal from Afghanistan an ambassador appointed to monitor transit agreements

A statement from the Foreign Ministry, Stanislas Lefebvre de Laboulaye was appointed ambassador in charge of monitoring transit agreements, under the French withdrawal from Afghanistan.

 The statement: "Following the commitments made ​​to the French, the President of the Republic has informed our allies at the last NATO summit, his decision to retire later than December 31, 2012, combat troops present on the French territory of Afghanistan, about 2,000 soldiers and policemen. The return of our fighting forces to accompany the repatriation logistics facilities projected in the Afghan theater.
From this perspective, the Foreign Minister and the Minister of Defence entrusted to Ambassador Stanislas Lefebvre de Laboulaye, the mission of monitoring the transit agreements being negotiated or to be negotiated with countries of the region to enable us to have different ways out of our disengagement logistics. "

Stanislas Lefebvre de Laboulaye, a former ambassador to Moscow and to the Holy See, was diplomatic adviser to the government since February.

To him to play the emissaries and deal with the regimes of Central Asia in particular (including Tajikistan. Photo above) to prepare the withdrawal of French equipment in Afghanistan.

The French Minister of Defense plans to visit this region in the coming weeks.

The route by which the material of the French army leave Afghanistan becomes clearer.

The southern route via Pakistan, now seems impractical for political reasons - the relations between the U.S. and Pakistan are at their worst.

That leaves the northern route through Russia. Things are not yet buckled but take shape. The idea would be that all materials will be conditioned to Warehouse (Kabul) and transported in Uzbekistan.From there, he embark on Russian trains bound for the Baltic countries (Lithuania and Latvia), then through Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Russia. As a guide, it takes about three days to reach Moscow from Central Asia. This is a long journey, with many borders to cross, the local sensitivities to be struck, and precautions. From the Baltic coast, equipment and vehicles will embark on ships bound for France - probably Toulon.

The main question is: how to leave Kabul to join Central Asia? By road or by air? The hypothesis is the most economical road, but the most dangerous. Road convoys are threatened throughout the course by the insurgents, not counting the "simple" physical difficulties. The road passes including the Salang tunnel, which the Soviets which have lost hundreds of men in 1982, probably as a result of an attack ...The land route would require significant resources protection (helicopters, drones, tanks, infantry) that would be quite difficult to ask our allies.

Solution remains the airline with the rental of Antonov 124, which would make an air bridge to neighboring Uzbekistan (an early flight), with two daily round trips by air. This solution is expensive, is much safer. It would nevertheless be cheaper than flights to the UAE, where the break would be to load the boats. The flight hour costs about 124 Year 25 000 dollars ...

This road, through the UAE, will nevertheless be used for part of the material more sensitive than the French military did not necessarily want to see walking on Russian railways.

Anyway, the Russian option requires political management of the case. Clearly, this is not the time to be angry with Moscow on other issues. For example, Syria