Originally at http://www.plenglish.com/article.asp?ID=%7BC67A6A56-294C-4D43-93C1-FA9057331529%7D&language=EN

Paris, Feb 18 (Prensa Latina) The French nuclear aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle (R91) will be sent to the Persian Gulf and the Indian Ocean next week to take part in military maneuvers, the French Ministry of Defense said Saturday.
The aircraft carrier will be escorted by three frigates, two of them British, a nuclear submarine and a supporting warship, while carrying out maneuvers along with other countries of the area.

During the first stage, the French carrier, with 40 warplanes and helicopters on board, will carry out drills with the Saudi Navy in March and with the India, the United Arab Emirates and Oman Armada in

April.

The French government said the war games of the nuclear aircraft carrier, with between 1,780 and 1,950 crew members on board, were planned a long time ago and has nothing to do with the British-US occupation of Iraq.

The announcement of the drills came after the French President, Jacques Chirac, said Paris would use nuclear weapons against those groups or nations linked to terrorism, which unleashed a strong polemic in Europe.