DGSE.

This is coolbert:

"Partout où nécessité fait loi ("In every place where necessity makes law")."

Those Frenchmen dispatched to Brazil, looking into the downing of Flight 447 and the possible terrorist connection - - are members of - - DGSE!

"The Directorate-General for External Security [DGSE] (French: Direction Générale de la Sécurité Extérieure, or DGSE) is France’s foreign intelligence agency."

The French secret service. Responsible for external espionage - - directed against foreign targets.

Organized in the "French manner", a mix of civilian and MILITARY operatives. An integrated force, unlike the intelligence agency models as seen in the U.S. and England?

Accomplishes a variety of intelligence tasks, to include:

"Various tasks and roles are generally appointed to the DGSE":

* "HUMINT, through formal agents and voluntary correspondents"
* "SIGINT, through networks such as Frenchelon"
* "Space imagery analysis"
* "Support for HUMINT."
* "Special operations"

The DGSE is particularly unique in that it has that mix of CIVILIAN and MILITARY assets under one agency? The French approach differs in this regard from most?

"The action division has a 'tank' of paramilitary operatives coming mainly from the French Army, often at least from the paras, and some from special forces."

As to organizing themselves with that eclectic mix of CIVILIAN and MILITARY - - the French see advanatage where others do not? I cannot say with any authority.

coolbert.