ABSTRACT
The compromise would persist because no political constituency in France supports a full-fledged conventional capability for possible participation in the forward battle. A number of France's best-informed strategists have identified the ambiguous role of the conventional forces as a central defect in France's deterrent posture. In late 1982 and early 1983, Charles Hernu and other French officials described the Force d'Action Rapide (FAR) as more of a reorganization of existing assets than the pursuit of dramatically improved capabilities for intervention in conventional. By assuming key responsibilities during a crisis or the initial stages of conflict, the FAR could accomplish tasks that would otherwise be faced less effectively and thus offer timely reinforcement. Perhaps the most fundamental military and political criticism of the FAR concept, made by General Valentin and others, is that it raises new uncertainties about the role of France's nuclear forces, both tactical and strategic.
