Paris - Grandiose French plans to invite troops from across the EU to join the July 14th Bastille Day parade were hastily changed when it was realised Austrian troops would be included, possibly provoking protests.
"It is true that until February we had envisaged a parade by all 15 EU states, but we had to reconsider for diplomatic reasons concerning Austria," the Defence Ministry spokesman, Mr Jean-Francois Bureau, told reporters.