France would pull troops in Afghanistan

France Troops

This month French government announced it would pull 1000 troops in Afghanistan until the end of 2012. This amount is only a fraction of the total number of France troops in Afghanistan.

Reporting from China news agency, Xinhua, the announcement was made by French President, Nicolas Sarkozy, on his visit to Afghanistan, Tuesday, July 12, 2011. Reportedly there are about 4,000 French soldiers in Afghanistan, mostly based in the city of Kapisa.

"We will draw a quarter of our troops, about 1,000 soldiers, between now and the end of 2012," Nicolas Sarkozy said at a military base near Kabul.

Withdrawal is in accordance with the commitment of France and the United States last month that would withdraw troops early. French troops have joined in the NATO coalition forces and the U.S. since 2001.

Their mission is to protect Afghanistan from the influence of Taliban militants. Currently, the U.S. was working with the Afghan government to train soldiers and police the country. Although thousands of foreign troops are present in the country, but the explosions and attacks still occur.

Reportedly, it has more than 64 French soldiers who were killed in the country. One of the last victim was killed yesterday by a stray bullet at the base in Kapisa.

Nicolas Sarkozy: Do not Fly on My Vila

French President, Nicolas Sarkozy, to use its authority to enforce no-fly zone above the villa, which became a holiday for him and his family. For those who violated, will incur a fine, equivalent to hundreds of millions of dollars.

As quoted from page Telegraph, Thursday, April 14, 2011, Nicolas Sarkozy has adopted new rules as long as he inhabits the edge of the beach villa in Cap-Negre, Lavandou. The regulations prohibit pilots fly the aircraft at an altitude of less than 900 feet above the villa owned by his wife, Carla Bruni.

The punishment was not kidding. For pilots who violate this rule will incur a fine of 40,000 euros or imprisonment for six months.

This rule applies from the date of 8 to 26 April 2011, or during Nicolas Sarkozy and his family completed the Easter holiday.

This is not the first time Nicolas Sarkozy has implemented no-fly zone in his villa. Earlier in 2008, after marrying Carla Bruni, Nicolas Sarkozy also imposed a ban on flying in the area. A paparazzi managed to take photos Nicolas Sarkozy and Carla Bruni wearing a bathing suit, some other photos show Mr. Sarkozy was riding a bicycle.

Previously, in August last year, Nicolas Sarkozy criticizes after he closed access to the beach for the public when he was vacationing with his family.

Tourists forbidden to the beach because the beach erosion was reported rocks so that the beach is closed. But local residents do not eat this scam then doing protest.