PARIS, March 10, 2008 (LPAC)--In the Feb. 11 interview with Les Echos, covered last week, Felix Rohatyn concluded with a clear call for France to be reintegrated into NATO. When asked if something had changed since Sarkozy was elected, Rohatyn replied, "There is incontestably an improvement in our [U.S.-France] relations. President Sarkozy's attitude towards America will favor the transatlantic rapprochement. It also could favor the comeback of France in the integrated command of NATO. Now we can work together and show the way on economic, political and military subjects."

De Gaulle began withdrawing France from the NATO integrated command in 1959, and completely withdrew in 1966, primarily over the threat of being drawn into conflicts against French interests by the British domination of NATO. Today, a primary intention of the Lisbon Treaty is precisely to remove such sovereign decision-making by member states in regard to potential military deployments.