France is preparing to change its policy on nuclear weapons to include a threat to unleash first strikes against “rogue states”, a newspaper reported yesterday. The Elysée palace issued only a partial denial of the article in Libération. It said there had been no shift in “nuclear doctrine” since President Jacques Chirac warned two years ago that the independent deterrent – the force de frappe – could be turned against “regional powers” that threatened to use weapons of mass destruction. Libération, quoting senior military sources, said this policy was under review and a new position would be expressed – possibly in a speech by President Chirac – by the start of next year. The new doctrine might raise the possibility of a “first strike” if France felt threatened by weapons of mass destruction (WMD). Full Story