Going, Going, Gone?
February 12th, 2003 - 3:04 pm
Is this the last nail in NATO’s coffin?
For a third day, France, Germany and Belgium refused to accept a scaled-back U.S. proposal on supporting Turkey, worsening the military alliance
After all the garbage stuff those countries have strewn about, one is tempted to say: who really cares if NATO or the UN do survive.
NATO’s in Belgium. Time to move out.
Call me a selfish Brit, but I like (liked?) having US Army divisions and BAOR (British Army of the Rhine) in Germany. Saves all that tedious Channel crossing stuff.
Some European ‘statesmen’ should have a walk around the Omaha Beach and Tyne Cot Cemetries and think for a few minutes.
I’d like to see Powell and Rumsfeld announce tommorow the formation of NANETO – the North American-New Europe Treaty Organization.
Applications for membership available in all European languages except German and French (we’ll loan Austria a translator to fill out the English version, and Canada can repeal their goofy dual language laws if they want to join).
And for John Farren’s concern, I think Poland expressed some interest in bases.
France/Germany/Belgium claim it sends the “wrong signal” to discuss planning for the defense of a valued ally.
Earlier this week Kofi Annan called for a meeting of the UNSC to discuss contingency plans for providing humanitarian aid to Iraqi refugees in the event of war. Germany and France are due to attend.
Let me get this straight: At Kofi’s behest it’s okay to plan for humanitarian aid to Iraqi refugees but- at Rummy’s behest- not to plan for the defense of an ally?
NATO’s purpose in life is over- the containment of the USSR.
It has been on life-support for a while now, but I think that this is a pulling of the plug by France, Germany and Belgium because they think that it will make everyone realize how important they are. In actuality, it will show the world how powerless they are and will lead to the break up of NATO and the UN.