Originally posted by oboe Seagoon, I think the French would object to the insinuation that they are being 'defended' by NATO. Didn't they withdraw from the treaty and throw NATO out of France in the mid-60s?
Originally posted by Skydancer The ammount of money wasted on weapons could've put men on mars by now!
Originally posted by oboe It tells me NATO is more complicated an organization than I thought! Are you suggesting that France pulled out of the commnad structure but remained a member to benefit from NATO's protection but save on any costs they might have been incurring as a member of the command structure?Still, who is NATO protecting anybody against these days?
Originally posted by oboe Jackal - Can you explain the difference between 'command structure' and 'military command'? I thought they were pretty much interchangeable terms.The cost factor was just a guess as to the motivation for the French to remove themselves from NATO command but remain a member.Interestingly, the only references I ever heard regarding the French and NATO while growing up was that the French 'kicked NATO out' or 'withdrew from NATO' - along those lines. The impression given was the France wanted to go it alone...
Originally posted by Jackal1 Well yea, by pulling out of military command it simply means they do not have to participate in the actual fighting. On the other hand they stayed in simply to avoid losing the shelter they had in times of trouble. Sort of a cake and eat it too thing.