I thedo so with conviction and enthusiasm

The thirty-first French soldier just fall into Afghanistan. Two French three are opposed to our military presence in the country, according to a recent survey of FIFG for "Le Figaro". Are you concerned about the risk of schism between the nation and its army

It should be measuring to the French that would represent our departure from Afghanistan. As such, the position of the Socialist Party is totally irresponsible. A withdrawal of the 70,000 men and women of the coalition would first mean the collapse of what was built, in schooling for girls, access to care, even rudimentary, the 13,500 miles of roads built or even the rise of the Afghan national army. Not to mention the effort of flesh and blood of our soldiers, as was unfortunately still the case last week. Beyond, if we leave the Afghanistan, it is certainly the chaos, the return of the Taliban in power and is to the Afghanistan a breeding ground of terrorism...

... Except that the French are not convinced...

... Because it is difficult to understand that our security is also played at 8,000 kilometres of borders. The Afghanistan is located in the heart of an arc of crisis with as neighbours the Iran and especially Pakistan, nuclear power has serious stability problems. The risk of contagion is negligible. The victory may not be only military. But the failure is not an option.

How to ensure that the explosion of debt does not catches up with the $ 180 billion euros of military appropriations by 2014

For two years, is always explained to me that tomorrow would be worse. I note that each year set aside these pessimistic remarks. The defence has never received as high budget. It is the fair consideration for a considerable effort to reform. The recovery plan to accelerate the renewal of the equipment of the forces. This year, it is 18 billion euros which will be spent, compared to 15 billion in 2007. My best guarantee is that until then, all that was said, we have. And there's sources of savings. We will support hard on the accelerator.

In what field

Information and communication systems for example, absorbing the bagatelle of EUR 3.5 billion each year.

Exceptional revenues expected in 2009 in the amount of EUR 1.6 billion will be "pschitt

The EUR 1 billion expected from the sale of real estate is always our goal. The sale of frequencies will intervene only next year. But, in compensation for the 600 million expected for 2009 as such, I got an arbitration of the premier allow me to consume 400 million credit reports. Inflation less than what we expected we will save the remaining 200 million.

Where is the application of the defence of the stimulus package pane

Beginning of July, we spent for commands EUR 1.3 billion, or 80 of what is expected. On this amount, 355 million was paid to companies. The 500 million of arrears have been cleared. The command of a third ship command to STX-Chantiers de l'Atlantique and projection will give 1,000 people work in the basin of Saint-Nazaire. In the manufacturer of light armoured Panhard, 70 jobs have been created. And we have purely and simply rescued from SMEs in disappearing, we would lose skills and often unique technologies.

How is the implementation of the military map

To date, 90 of the staff of closed sites have been reclassified. Had explained me that this military map would fire and blood the Territories concerned. It nothing was because we have been able to play the card of cooperation and responsibility. I am very closely the implementation of this reform and my colleagues regularly travel sites. On 2009, we have managed the social support and, at the same time, the first conversion projects appear. As in Sourdun with a school of excellence at Barcelonnette with a company of high-tech or Arras with University housing.

No problem to find volunteers at the outset with the crisis

None. The trajectory of the 8,500 deletions of posts per year is respected. The equation of the Act of programming is a wage lower than that of 2007, 2012 allowing release, despite the cost of restructuring, 4 billion more for the equipment. Entire military community was aware that should be deeply moving structures. I am a Minister who can talk about reform of the State.

Finally, you are the best student of the class Sarkozy...

If you say... I the

do so with conviction and enthusiasm.

Can it be said that the A400M military transport aircraft programme is permanently saved

Everything suggests that this is the case, unless the program had to know a new industrial avatar as it discourages client nations. If I I was not invested personally, the A400M would be dead today. The political dialogue with the British was essential to keep them on board.

A little more than a year ago, you have wished to revive the discussions for European industrial connections. Are you advanced

DCNS and Nexter lead discussions with their partners, and I wish that they lead to more quickly. The context is favourable, unlike many other countries, because the France increase its defence budget.

And France

I wish that the boundaries between Thales and Safran adjustments can be implemented by the end of the year to limit duplicate, Optronics would in the first, the inertial navigation in the second, "Les Echos" from November 21, 2008. In the field of solid propulsion for Ariane and ballistic missiles, the rapprochement between SNPE and saffron should also be operated by the end of the year.

2009, year of the first contract to export for the Rafale

One hopes.

At your arrival to the defence, you had made a priority of equal opportunities. Have you moved

The army is an extraordinary Republican model. It is probably the only institution built on the recognition of the effort and merit. There is progress to promote access to military schools for the children of modest environments and diversity. However, with the military schools, we have a powerful advocacy tool. I have therefore first focus my plan on schooling for disadvantaged youth. Today, they are 200. They will be the double at the end of next year. Moreover, we have created buffer in preparatory classes classes. With 100 students, they are full. At the time, we will fill have, as in the United States, schools officers and engineers of the weapons that reflect French diversity. Without positive discrimination.

François Bayrou has an offer of dialogue to left-wing parties. Is it not bad news for the majority

No, because that the mask of François Bayrou has just dropped. He has betrayed the centre as mentioned two years ago. Centrist voters attached to the European political project will be pleased to learn that they will now be common room with the Communists, Mélenchon and Chevenement. It arguments the values of the centre to avoid the final sinking in March regional elections. Finally, François Bayrou and Martine Aubry are spirited reinvent the plural left. More that ever, I am decided me to revive the UDF through the new Centre.

Don't you be afraid that the entry of Philippe de Villiers in the majority frightens the centrist electorate

It was Philippe de Villiers that we joined, and not the reverse. In the second round of each election, starting with the legislative candidates villieristes and hunters have always called to vote for all candidates of the centre or the UMP. Both better if their rally at the majority can allow us to put an end to the monopoly of the Socialists who hold 20 regions on 22 March 2010.

What do you think the most appropriate strategy in the 1st round of the regional

I hope that these regional are for us the opportunity of a reconquest. It will also be a highlight for the construction of the majority for the next presidential. This could make the case for lists of union in the first round, but before new Centre activists take their decision in December, I want a thorough review by region of the most appropriate strategy. In Britain, for example, a list of centrist rally led by Jean-Yves de Chaisemartin, Mayor of Paimpol, in the 1st round would give representation to the humanist, European electorate that has always existed in Brittany.

What are the regions where you claim to leadership of the majority

In the Nord - Pas-de-Calais with Valérie Létard, in Burgundy with François Sauvadet, in Picardy with Stéphane Demilly, in Basse-Normandie with Philippe Augier, Rhône-Alpes with our Member European Damien Abad and Ile-de-France with André Santini and Jean-Christophe Largarde, the new Centre is also well positioned as the UMP.

There you go auction... Even in the Ile-de-France, you are disputing the leadership of your Government colleague, Valérie Pécresse

In many departments and municipalities of Ile-de-France, the new Centre, as previously the UDF, made very remarkable scores. It is impossible not to take into account.