"It would be the most extraordinary act of folly if we were to
become in any way reliant on France for the ultimate strategic
defense capability of our nation."
Source: Geoffrey Van Orden, defense spokesman
for United Kingdom conservatives in the European Parliament, on
reports French leaders discussed the issue of "concerted
deterrence" with a proposed European missile shield -- similar to
the system the US is working to implement -- with the British prime
minister Tony Blair during their June summit in Paris.