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http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20020401/ap_on_re_eu/nato_s_new_front_2 -President Bush already was pushing for the southeastward expansion of the alliance. Even before Sept. 11, Caspian Sea oil and gas � and planned pipelines for deliveries of those energy sources � had dictated a re-evaluation of Western strategic interests. -Romanian officials say the United States will start using Constanta's port in June to move NATO-led peacekeepers in and out of the Balkans. Bulgarian and Romanian troops already serve in the peacekeeping force in Kabul, and Romania is offering to send mountain troops elsewhere in Afghanistan. U.S. Eyes Romania, Bulgaria for Help Mon Apr 1, 8:02 AM ET By GEORGE JAHN, Associated Press Writer BUCHAREST, Romania (AP) - As disputes grow with its allies about the war on terrorism, Washington has cast its eye on ports and airfields on Europe's southeastern periphery that could be used as bases for U.S. military forces. Western diplomats say the interest in Romania and Bulgaria reflects growing American frustration with NATO allies perceived as getting cold feet in the campaign against terrorist groups and those who harbor them. Romanian Foreign Minister Mircea Geoana says U.S. military engineers are expected in both Romania and Bulgaria within months to assess ports and air bases. Romania's Defense Ministry already has ordered its own engineers to upgrade military airfields at Fetesti and Timisoara and the Black Sea port of Constanta, other officials say. Officially, much of the activity is tied to the two countries' bids with eight other nations to join NATO at its next round of planned expansion in November. President Bush already was pushing for the southeastward expansion of the alliance. Even before Sept. 11, Caspian Sea oil and gas � and planned pipelines for deliveries of those energy sources � had dictated a re-evaluation of Western strategic interests. But privately, Western and Romanian officials at a meeting of the 10 NATO hopefuls last week in Bucharest agreed that U.S. interest has grown as a result of disputes over the anti-terrorism campaign. In many European capitals, leaders consider U.S. complaints about Iraq as dangerous saber-rattling and they dismiss as naive Bush's linking of Iraq, Iran and North Korea as an "axis of evil." The tone is different in Romania and Bulgaria. During a visit to the two countries, U.S. Gen. Joseph Ralston, supreme commander of allied forces in Europe, cited "overwhelming political reasons" for their early entry into NATO even before being fully ready for membership. Ralston then inspected Romania's Mihail Kogalniceanu military base at Constanta port, base commander Victor Luchian told The Associated Press. Western concerns about corruption, inefficiency and sputtering economies that led to the nations' rejection in the first round of NATO expansion more than two years ago are still not completely extinguished. But even NATO allies publicly opposed to any attack on Iraq appear ready to support strengthening the alliance's southern flank. Divulging the planned visits of U.S. engineers to his country and Bulgaria, Romania's Geoana told The Associated Press in an interview that the United States considered Romanian military intelligence "a major asset" in the fight against terror. "After Sept. 11, the Black Sea has become relevant as a natural springboard" toward regions of possible future terrorist threats, he said. He and others said that in preparation for NATO membership, both Romania and Bulgaria already had signed agreements permitting the basing of alliance troops on their territory and allowing unrestricted overflights of their warplanes. Geoana said Washington had become the driving force behind Romanian and Bulgarian membership. "Now that the Americans are moving in this direction, we will also see far more enthusiastic support from the rest of NATO," he said. The two former Soviet-bloc nations hope to overcome concerns about their economies and democratic performance by showing their military competence and ability to help the anti-terror campaign. Romanian officials say the United States will start using Constanta's port in June to move NATO-led peacekeepers in and out of the Balkans. Bulgarian and Romanian troops already serve in the peacekeeping force in Kabul, and Romania is offering to send mountain troops elsewhere in Afghanistan. Both countries also have increased their contingents in peacekeeping missions to the Balkans, allowing the United States and its allies to refocus on Afghanistan. Romanian Prime Minister Adrian Nastase said his country is eager to welcome U.S. and other NATO troops and equipment to its ports and airfields if the war on terrorism needs them. "When we decided to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the alliance, we wanted to make very clear that all our assets will be the assets of the alliance," he told AP. "We consider ourselves a de-facto (NATO) member after Sept. 11." __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Yahoo! Tax Center - online filing with TurboTax http://http://taxes.yahoo.com/ --------------------------- ANTI-NATO INFORMATION LIST ==^================================================================ This email was sent to: [email protected] EASY UNSUBSCRIBE click here: http://topica.com/u/?a84x2u.a9617B Or send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] T O P I C A -- Register now to manage your mail! http://www.topica.com/partner/tag02/register ==^================================================================
