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| The Alliance |
| Bush informed Chirac ahead of attack |
| 2001-10-07 |
President Bush informed Chirac by telephone an hour ahead of the strikes that a U.S. offensive on Afghanistan was ``imminent,'' French presidential spokeswoman Catherine Colonna said. Chirac said that ``at this stage,'' French vessels are associated with the operation, but he did not give details. France had earlier said it would open its airspace to U.S. military aircraft and provide support at sea. ``We will assume our role in a spirit of solidarity and responsibility,'' Chirac said. Defense Minister Alain Richard said earlier that France ``can enter into action in a few days.'' He added that, ``our level of capacity for intervention is strictly comparable to that of Britain.'' |
| Posted by:Fred Pruitt |