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http://www.ptd.net/webnews/wed/bu/Qeu-nato.R6Aw_CO8.html NATO head calls for end to impasse with EU -The NATO chief also reiterated his defense of the alliance's rapid reaction force proposed last month by US Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, arguing that it would not compete with a similar European force. -He noted that while Europe may have twice as many warplanes as Washington, its fleet was "old-fashioned". "No European aircraft has stealth capability," he said. [Calling Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, United Technologies.] BRUSSELS, Oct 8 (AFP) - NATO Secretary General George Robertson on Tuesday called for an end to an impasse that has stymied plans for full security cooperation between the alliance and the European Union. He also said Europe had to catch up with the United States in modernising its military capabilities. "We've got to go beyond the current status-quo (and) break the current impasse," he told the European Parliament's foreign affairs commission. The NATO-EU pact has been blocked for over a year by Greece, which is opposed to a clause that it feels would undermine its influence in the fate of the divided Mediterranean island of Cyprus. Greece, a member of both NATO and the European body, objects to a compromise under which the EU would agree not to intervene in its 28-year dispute with neighbouring Turkey over the island. Turkey is a member of NATO but not of the European Union. Robertson said he regretted that "momentum is lacking" in negotiations. The pact would allow the European Union access to NATO planning information and would notably allow its fledgling defense force to take over NATO's peace mission in Macedonia. Robertson also apologized for remarks he had made criticizing EU's military forces, but urged the EU to narrow the gap separating it from superior US military strength. "I'm quite prepared to say I made a mistake when I called Europe a military pygmy. In fact, it's not." But, he added: "It's a giant, but it's a flabby giant with no muscle and unable to do anything when trouble comes upon it." He noted that while Europe may have twice as many warplanes as Washington, its fleet was "old-fashioned". "No European aircraft has stealth capability," he said. The NATO chief also reiterated his defense of the alliance's rapid reaction force proposed last month by US Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, arguing that it would not compete with a similar European force. "This is not designed to be a rival force," he argued. "It is imperative that we avoid duplication and overlap." The European Union has been working since 2001 on its own Rapid Reaction Force, a 60,000-strong army which is supposed to be in place by next year although progress has been slow. Rumsfeld drew surprise and concern in Europe by unveiling proposals for a NATO rapid reaction force that would focus on providing a response to terrorist incidents. __________________________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Faith Hill - Exclusive Performances, Videos & More http://faith.yahoo.com --------------------------- ANTI-NATO INFORMATION LIST ==^================================================================ This email was sent to: [email protected] EASY UNSUBSCRIBE click here: http://topica.com/u/?a84x2u.bacIlu 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 ==^================================================================
