May 25, 2013
The U.S. rift with France over Iraq has led the Pentagon to scale back participation in June's Paris Air Show.
A defense industry spokesman says the move is bad for business.
A Pentagon official says only six planes will be sent, compared with 13 last time. All will be for stationary exhibits, not flying demonstrations. A limit of 150 people will go, none above the rank of Colonel.
The weeklong show, held every two years, is the premier international event for the aerospace industry.
For its part, France is smarting from a series of perceived U.S. slights. French officials have outlined what they say is an organized campaign from within the Bush Administration of false allegations of complicity with deposed Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein.
The White House denies the accusation.
