News: Mitterrand Calls For French Volunteers

27th December 1988: Following the attacks on shipping in the English Channel by the Royal Air Force and the attack on the French Mirages by the RAF Tornadoes, French President Mitterrand called upon France to form a volunteer legion to help protect "liberty and democracy against the fascist royalist faction in Great Britain". Volunteers were drawn from and equipped by the French armed forces although Mitterrand was clear to state that France itself would remain neutral, albeit sympathetic to the legitimately elected government in London.