French minister condemns US and Australia ‘lies’ over security pact

Dhaka, Bangladesh || Wednesday, 24 April 2024 || 10 Boishakh 1431

HEADLINE:

Kazi Zarzees bin Ertaza steps to 21 today Bashundhara MD honoured with ‘TRAB Smart Performance Award’ Today 20th death anniversary of Shahidur Rahman, the bright star of Judiciary President appoints Sheikh Hasina as Prime Minister First woman barrister on Board of Directors of Gulshan Club Bangladesh Army and Canadian University of Bangladesh Sign Memorandum of Understanding DNCC, Borak Real Estate sign deal, Sheraton goes into full swing

From pandemic to Padma bridge: Will the anti-Hasina brigade ever learn?

The anti-Sheikh Hasina brigade has been paid back fair

No one remembers the bravery of Badruzzamanan in '71

Badruzzaman Badrul, the expatriate son of a brave martyr

'Minar-e Kabir', the highest Islamic Monument in Jhalokati

Minar-e Kabir is a minaret located in Sugandia village

Bashundhara Group gets ‘Best Brand’ recognition

Bashundhara Group, the country’s largest business conglomerate, has been

http://www.dailyvorerpata.com/ad/72890.jpg

French minister condemns US and Australia ‘lies’ over security pact

Published : Sunday, 19 September, 2021 at 1:11 PM, Count : 4630

French minister condemns US and Australia ‘lies’ over security pact

France's foreign minister has accused Australia and the US of lying over a new security pact that prompted Paris to recall its ambassadors, reports BBC.

In an interview with France 2 television, Jean-Yves Le Drian also accused the countries of "duplicity, a major breach of trust and contempt".

The pact, known as Aukus, will see Australia being given the technology to build nuclear-powered submarines.

The move thwarted a multibillion-dollar deal France had signed with Australia.

The agreement, which also includes the UK, is widely seen as an effort to counter China's influence in the contested South China Sea.

France was informed only hours before the public announcement was made earlier this week.

Speaking on Saturday, Mr Le Drian said a "serious crisis" was in progress between the allies.

"The fact that for the first time in the history of relations between the United States and France we are recalling our ambassador for consultations is a serious political act, which shows the magnitude of the crisis that exists now between our countries," he told France 2.

He said the ambassadors were being recalled to "re-evaluate the situation".

But he said France had seen "no need" to recall its ambassador to the UK, as he accused the country of "constant opportunism".

"Britain in this whole thing is a bit like the third wheel," he said.

Newly appointed UK Foreign Secretary Liz Truss defended the agreement in an article for The Sunday Telegraph, saying it showed Britain's readiness to be "hard-headed" in defence of its interests.

The pact means Australia will become just the seventh nation in the world to operate nuclear-powered submarines. It will also see the allies share cyber capabilities, artificial intelligence and other undersea technologies.

The announcement ended a deal worth $37bn (£27bn) that France had signed with Australia in 2016 to build 12 conventional submarines.

« Previous