French defense minister calls for creation of 'French-style Pentagon'

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF
The defense minister said Thursday he wants to trim the military and create a "French-style Pentagon" that would unite the command of France's armed forces under one roof. Herve Morin, speaking on France-2 television, said the consolidation would involve a "modern and architecturally ambitious" headquarters building, possibly in southwestern Paris. "The idea we are putting together is a French-style Pentagon," Morin said. He said it would be "a great cathedral where all of the main leaders of the French army would work together, around the minister." Such a military consolidation would be the latest American-style innovation in France under President Nicolas Sarkozy, who is known for a pro-American inclination and has sought closer ties with Washington.