Sarkozy: France to limit nuclear arsenal
Published: March 22, 2008 at 12:27 PM
PARIS, March 22 (UPI) -- French President Nicolas Sarkozy says his country will soon eliminate one-third of its airborne nuclear weapons, it was reported Saturday.
The BBC said while the elimination of the nuclear weaponry will reduce France's arsenal to less than 300 missiles, Sarkozy said his country is dedicated to keeping some of the deadly weapons as a "life-insurance policy."
"After this reduction, our arsenal will comprise fewer than 300 nuclear warheads, that's half the maximum number of warheads we had during the Cold War," Sarkozy said.
The Federation of American Scientists estimates France currently has a total of 348 deployed nuclear weapons, ranging from airborne bombs to air-launched cruise missiles.
Speaking in the town of Cherbourg, Sarkozy said the remaining nuclear weaponry in France has not been targeted at anyone despite growing threats from the Middle East and Asia.
"By giving this information, France is fully transparent since it has no other weapons than those in its operational stocks," he said.
"Moreover, I confirm that none of our weapons are targeted at anybody."
The BBC said while the elimination of the nuclear weaponry will reduce France's arsenal to less than 300 missiles, Sarkozy said his country is dedicated to keeping some of the deadly weapons as a "life-insurance policy."
"After this reduction, our arsenal will comprise fewer than 300 nuclear warheads, that's half the maximum number of warheads we had during the Cold War," Sarkozy said.
The Federation of American Scientists estimates France currently has a total of 348 deployed nuclear weapons, ranging from airborne bombs to air-launched cruise missiles.
Speaking in the town of Cherbourg, Sarkozy said the remaining nuclear weaponry in France has not been targeted at anyone despite growing threats from the Middle East and Asia.
"By giving this information, France is fully transparent since it has no other weapons than those in its operational stocks," he said.
"Moreover, I confirm that none of our weapons are targeted at anybody."
© 2008 United Press International. All Rights Reserved.
This material may not be reproduced, redistributed, or manipulated in any form.
This material may not be reproduced, redistributed, or manipulated in any form.
» Next in Top News:
U.S. sailor in Japan investigated
U.S. President George W. Bush visits the Bible Lands Museum in Jerusalem on May 16, 2008. (UPI Photo/Amos Ben Gershom/Israeli Government Press Office)
U.S. President Bush visits Israel
Full Photo
| Slideshow
Latest Headlines
Most Popular
- Sen. Kennedy rushed to Mass. hospital
- DeGeneres: 'I am getting married'
- Kuwaitis go to polls in assembly election
- Alleged loan-fraud scam leads to arrests
- Detroit nearly throws out tunnel proposal
- UPI NewsTrack Entertainment News
- Al-Qaida bounty program unsuccessful
- Sharapova out in Rome with calf injury