Pave: Stranded At The Pump

Le jour 392 de Sarko

Did you know France has a navy? It's a very polite navy, confronting the enemies of France with strong SVPs and amusing sea shanties. When her ships are operational, France likes to sail them around the world projecting French power, euh, peacekeeping, promoting French culture, and selling Carla Bruni CDs

Alas, France, which is not a first-rate power (it is a bipolar power), can't afford to sail her ships from Toulon to Le Havre, much less around the world.

FRENCH NAVY CUT MISSIONS DUE TO HIGH FUEL COSTS
France's Cash-Strapped Navy Has Decided To Cancel
Three International Sea Missions Due To Rocketing Petrol Prices.

PARIS June 10, 2008 (Telegraph) - The frigate De Grasse became the latest victim after the navy pulled it out of a major joint exercise with US aircraft carrier Theodore Roosevelt, due to take place in July off Naval Station Norfolk on America's East coast.

Another French frigate, the Montcalm, has been pulled out of an international anti-drug exercise, due to take place this summer.

A third vessel, the Mistral, has been ordered not to return to its home port of Le Havre after arriving in Toulon in southern France following a humanitarian trip to Burma.

... The navy budget was drawn up on the assumption that a barrel of oil would cost $65. However, prices have since reached $140.

"The end of the year will be tricky," one admiral confessed to Libération. However, a spokesman for the navy said it had "sacrificed important but not essential missions".

Priorities closer to home have straitened French finances.

Dans la Marine il y a Mon Dieu et mon cul, pas mon-ey.

PFFT (What is this?): Toy navy 2½ | Toy defense 4 | Rayonnement français 0