3l+0' At the doctrinal level' rrance has neve' endorsed NAT.rs strategy of flexibre res'onse' nor has it adoptecr such a strategy for itself. rn French eyes the way to avoid var i6 to rely.on deterrence. rn-itls connexion it shourd be pointed out that the French conventionaf ground r"r""* n."" as their prine purpose to test the deterroination of an aggressor to continue the .i.rar inio France" rf so, the tactical nuclear weapons assigneri to the ground forces could be used to warn an aggressor that he is crossing iithe thr_-sho1d of criticaf a,ggre ssion,,, that is, the point r"lhere France r.rould consider faunching u "trat"gr" response" 3l+1 " riro one has ever defined this thTeshold, Tlie notive behind this i.rncertainty is to strengthen deterrence. But it also raises the question of the refations bet'reen France and IdATo. I.l_ seems ,"""urrrli.-io believe that the threshold of critical aggression could onry be reachej ;;;.; r certain perlod of L,arfare in central nuroDe. 3l+2" The possible introduction of the neutron bonb into the French nuclear arsenal raises the question \^rheLher those veapons riir-lu designed for combat or deterrent purloses. It is perhaps too. soon to give an opinion "i trri" ;;j;;;; iut it is not unreasonable to assume that these we"pon" i,uy be intended to introduce, in the long tern, greater flexibility in tne aispray ot th" !'r"rr"h nuclea? d.octrines. 343' France regards its strategic nucrear weapons as part of its central systerns on the same footing as those of the united states ana the soviet union and it lherefore rejects their incrusion in negotiations on so-calred. gray area weapons. with their force the r'ench retain a sef,arate r.,rop.un decision centre ro' the use of nuclear weapons " N. Doctrines and security
**Analysis**
The text appears to be discussing the nuclear doctrine and strategy of France, specifically its approach to deterrence and the potential introduction of new weapons into its arsenal. The language used is technical and diplomatic, suggesting that the text is intended for an audience with a background in international relations or strategic studies. The focus on nuclear weapons and deterrence strategies suggests that the text is related to national security and defense, which is often a topic of discussion in the context of international relations.

**Category**
International Relations, Science and Technology