U.S. response on Article V upsets NATO allies

By Batuk Gathani

BRUSSELS, OCT. 2. America's allies in Europe have thus far responded positively to the Bush administration's proposal to form a global alliance against international terrorism. However, some are peeved that the U.S. administration has failed to take up NATO's ``historic offer'' to implement Article V, according to which an attack on one member is deemed to be an attack on all the members.

This display of solidarity is considered unprecedented in the alliance's 52-year-old history.

There is a view in Europe that the Bush administration's response has been cool to the NATO offer.

The U.S., on the other hand, is keen to avoid the confusion and feuds that took place during the Kosovo operation. As an American observer put it, ``In the effort to avoid too many cooks, the Bush administration has left the Europeans worried about the stew.''

Though there are suspicions on both sides of the Atlantic, it will be premature to suggest that there are cracks within the NATO.

The European governments have already announced measures to tackle security challenges.

The European Union governments are to bring in anti-money laundering measures aimed at clamping down on funds resources of terrorist organisations.

These measures will be discussed at the G-7 Finance Ministers' meeting in the U.S. later this week. The German Chancellor, Mr. Gerhard Schroeder has called for relaxing bank secrecy rules to track down terrorist groups.

Mr. Schroeder yesterday urged European nations to stop their ``squabbling and petty jealousies'' and unite against terrorism.

In a reference to the recent remarks by the Italian Prime Minister, Mr. Silvio Berlusconi, about the Western world being more civilised, Mr. Schroeder said, ``We refuse to be dragged into a `clash of civilisations' concept.

This would suit terrorists and religious fundamentalists. Instead, the E.U. should jointly take up the fight against terrorism, he said. Mr. Schroeder said,``The E.U. was the most successful political project in our varied and often bloodied history.

We should offer our incentives to States that are ready to join the U.S. in the fight against international terrorism.''

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Section  : International
Previous : Palestine state part of U.S. vision: Bush
Next     : U.S. credentials to fight terrorism questioned