This is why France is determined to regain on her whole territory the full exercise of her sovereignty, at present diminished by the permanent presence of allied military elements or by the use which is made of her airspace to cease her participation in the integrated commands and no longer to place her forces at the disposal of NATO. Nevertheless, France considers that the changes which have taken place since 1949, or are now taking place, in Europe, Asia, and elsewhere, as well as the development of her own situation and forces, do not justify, so far as she is concerned, the arrangements of a military nature made after the conclusion of the Alliance either in common in the form of multilateral conventions or by special agreements between the French and the American Governments. This means that, unless in the three coming years events change the basic facts directing East-West relations, she would, in 1969 and beyond, be determined, as today, to fight on the side of her allies in the event that one of them should be the object of an unprovoked aggression. France therefore plans, as of now, to remain, when the time comes, a party to the Treaty signed on 4th April 1949 in Washington. I wish to tell you that France is aware to what extent the defensive solidarity thus established between 15 free western nations contributes to ensure their security, and especially of the essential role played in this respect by the United States of America. Our Atlantic Alliance will in three years’ time complete its first term.
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