KUWAIT, Feb 3 (KUNA) -- French and Kuwaiti naval forces enjoy excellent cooperative relations and this help promote mutual understanding that makes it easier to work together toward common goals, said Commander of the French Joint Forces in the Indian Ocean (ALINDIEN) Rear Admiral Jacques Launay on Saturday.
Speaking to reporters on board the French Support and Flag Ship "VAR", he said the two sides had "many same views", saying his visit to the country was one of "defense diplomacy" aimed at maintaining links with Kuwaiti officials and understanding their perceptions on military cooperation.
Launay met earlier today with Kuwaiti Chief of Staff Air Marshal Fahad Al-Amir.
He noted that meetings of the Joint Higher Defense Committee were held every 12 to 18 months, the last one having taken place in Paris in December 2006. The next meeting will take place in Kuwait in April 2008, he said.
"Through these talks we develop links with our Kuwaiti counterparts and meet with the authorities," he said.
Talks, he said, explored cooperation channels such as training Kuwaiti officers in France or holding sessions in Kuwaiti waters, diving, and minesweeping exercises.
"French-Kuwaiti minesweeping exercises will take place here on April 11," he said, noting that between three and four French vessels would be deployed in Gulf waters during that time.
There are a minimum of five French vessels at a time in the Indian Ocean engaged in Operation Enduring Freedom and maintaining the stability of the region extending to the Horn of Africa and the Sea of Oman. They operate from three joint command centers: La Reunion, east of Madagascar; Djibouti; and the ALINDIEN command center on board "VAR."
Moreover, the commander said French naval forces were involved in operations in Kabul, Afghanistan, saying an aircraft carrier would deploy from the Red Sea to an area by the Pakistani coast in mid-March where it would operate for one month.
The main mission will be to assess the situation in the area, he said.
"Talks are ongoing with Saudi authorities over exercise in the Red Sea," he added.
Asked whether his country intended to establish permanent presence in the Gulf, Launay said, "The Gulf is part of our interests but we have no plans for having a permanent sea-base here. Our main base is in Djibouti, which we use for logistic purposes, and we see no need for another locations."
He noted that French vessels needed under five days to deploy to Gulf waters should they be needed, saying, "We (French naval forces) are welcomed by all countries we visit in the region and we have their technical support."
The rear admiral said France would take over the command of the task force based in Bahrain from the British naval forces in April for a four-month period.
In response to a question on French naval support for operations in Iraq, he said, "We are not operating in Iraq. We are not involved in any way as it is not a part of Operation Enduring Freedom."
As for Iran, he said his country was committed to UN Security Council (UNSC) resolutions and that, though not speaking as a diplomat, he hoped "people will heed to the voice of reason."
He also noted ALINDIEN's mission included prevention of illicit traffic within the framework of UNSC resolutions, especially with relation to terrorism.
ALIDIEN is based on "VAR," a support ship that stretches for 158 meters and carries a Helicopter Alouette-3 model. The ship will remain docked in Kuwait till February 6.
By Eman Al-Awadhi
