The presidents of France and the United States talk after the row over submarines in Australia | international | News

On Sunday, the Australian government rejected French accusations that it lied about its plans to cancel a contract to buy French submarines in favor of American ships, a dispute that will be discussed by US President Joe Biden and his counterpart. the next few days.

The United States, Australia and the United Kingdom on Wednesday announced a strategic partnership to counter China called AUKUS., which included supplying Canberra with US nuclear-powered submarines, which knocked the French out of the game.

French government spokesman Gabriel Attal said on BFMTV on Sunday that Macron would ask Biden for “clarification” and “clarification” over what “appears to be a significant breach of trust”.

“There will be a phone conversation in the next few days” between the two presidents, on Biden’s initiative, the spokesman added.

France is furious over Australia’s decision to withdraw from a $50 billion deal to buy French submarines for US ships.

On Friday, Paris called for consultations with its ambassadors to the United States and Australia, accusing them of “lying” about the breach of contract, an unprecedented decision among allies.

‘Deep and serious reservations’

A few hours ago, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison dismissed French accusations of lying about the submarine purchase contract.

France called for consultations with the ambassadors of countries and Australia to cancel the contract for the sale of submarines

“I think they have every reason to know that we have deep and serious reservations about the fact that the attack-class capabilities of a submarine do not serve our strategic interests and we have made it clear that we will make a decision based on our national strategic interest,” Morrison declared at a press conference in Sydney.

Morrison said he understood the French government’s “disappointment”, but said it raised issues with the deal “a few months ago”, as did other Australian government ministers.

For the leader, it was ‘negligent’ to move forward with the contract despite the fact that Australian intelligence and defense services had advised him that it would run counter to the country’s strategic interests.

“I do not regret the decision to put Australia’s national interest first. I will never regret it,” he said.

For his part, Australian Defense Minister Peter Dutton said, on Sunday, that his government had been “candid, open and honest” with France about its concerns about the deal that was over-budget and years behind schedule.

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“We were not aware of Australia’s intentions. Her French counterpart, Florence Parly, responded during an official trip to Niger.

In turn, Britain’s new foreign secretary, Liz Truss, defended London’s position on the defense pact with the United States and Australia on Sunday.

This agreement demonstrates the UK’s willingness to “demonstrate firmness in defending our interests” and “our commitment to the security and stability of the Indo-Pacific region,” Truss wrote in the Telegraph.

Fifth wheel of the car

Paris had considered it pointless to recall its ambassador to London for consultations, and, through its foreign minister, Jean-Yves Le Drian, mocked the “permanent opportunism” of the United Kingdom, calling this country the “fifth wheel of the car”.

In her article, the British minister does not allude to the tensions with France, but highlights the slogan “Global Britain” on the UK’s post-Brexit position, something that affects Prime Minister Boris Johnson a lot.

And Jean-Yves Le Drian said, Saturday evening, in an interview with France 2 TV channel, that the submarine case had led to a “serious crisis.”

“There was a lie (…), duplicity (…), a great betrayal of trust” and “contempt” on the part of France’s allies, said the French minister.

Le Drian also estimated that this crisis would affect the definition of the new strategic concept of NATO, without mentioning, however, a departure from NATO.

NATO began to think, at the request of the President of the Republic, on its foundations. The upcoming NATO Summit in Madrid will conclude with the new strategic concept. Of course, what just happened has something to do with that definition,” Le Drian said.

Instead, Admiral Rob Power, chair of the NATO Military Committee, indicated that the conflict would have no impact on the alliance’s “military cooperation.” (I)