France marks Bastille Day with traditional pomp - by Deborah Seward
President Nicolas Sarkozy opened the traditional Bastille Day military parade to Indian and German troops today, as France looks to expand its global military influence and strengthen strategic partnerships. French forces marched with precision down the Champs Elysees along with Indian troops in colorful uniforms and German soldiers in sober dress.Attack jets in tight formation roared across blue skies overhead to the delight of thousands of cheering onlookers.
Sarkozy and his wife, Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, greeted children who were treated in France for wounds received in wars and conflicts overseas, and also paid tribute to French troops serving with other NATO troops in Afghanistan. "I told President Obama that we would help because this country (Afghanistan) must regain the conditions of its freedom. We are not going to let the Taliban cut off the hands of little girls because they put on nail polish," Sarkozy said.
The German troops marching in today's parade, under the review of German President Horst Koehler, were part of a joint brigade deployed in the eastern French city of Strasbourg. As part of France's return to the NATO command structure this year after a 43-year absence, France welcomed the German troops into the Strasbourg brigade
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