NATO backs president 's plan to rejoin NATO . President Charles de Gaulle 's plan is politically sensitive . Friendship Committee . Paris was a founding member of NATO but left in 1966 . President Nicolas Sarkozy said in 1949 membership meant losing independence .
NATO backs president 's plan to rejoin NATO . President Charles de Gaulle 's plan is politically sensitive . Paris was a founding member of NATO but left in 1966 . President Nicolas Sarkozy said in 1949 membership meant losing independence .