-Caveat Lector- NATO Actions Concern Other Nations By AUDREY WOODS .c The Associated Press LONDON (AP) -- NATO's intensifying air campaign against Yugoslavia and its decision to impose an oil embargo are raising hackles in Europe and serious concern in Asia. Following the alliance's 50th anniversary summit in Washington, NATO's goals in the battle with Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic are not the only concern. Some worry about the precedent being set, and NATO's eventual direction. ``If NATO is trying to sideline the Security Council and define its own ends, the international community can and should feel a little uncomfortable,'' an editorial in the Madrid daily El Mundo said Monday. ``Are we building Europe politically in order to renounce its defense, leaving it in the hands of an organization that is in the end financed and led by the United States?'' it said. Sweden's Aftonbladet newspaper called for ``an unyielding fight ... by Europe's member states ... in order to break the American hegemony.'' It wasn't all criticism of the 19-nation alliance's show of solidarity in their military campaign to halt Milosevic's oppression of Kosovo Albanians. Over Russia's objections, NATO agreed to intensify the airstrikes and to impose the embargo, enforced by NATO ships, but made no decision about sending in ground forces. ``The good news from Washington was that the NATO countries will live up to the responsibility they took upon themselves when they started the war,'' said Denmark's Politiken daily. Jyllands Posten, another major Danish newspaper, noted NATO's show of unity and called the meeting ``a strong statement'' showing that NATO countries will stand together. The leading Spanish daily El Pais said it was good that the concept of humanitarian intervention was gaining strength, but that ``a legality is being broken that is not being replaced, and other countries, such as China or Russia, could make use of a similar route if they want to intervene in their zones.'' The dispute with Russia was a cause for concern in Australia and Asia. ``Moving to cut oil supplies to Yugoslavia will put NATO in conflict with Russia,'' just as it is celebrating its long role as Europe's peacekeeper, the Sydney Morning Herald said. In South Korea, the embargo was front page news in most major newspapers. An editorial in the Chosun Ilbo said the embargo officially designates NATO a ``full-scale international police'' force, and could weaken the role of the U.N. Security Council. In Japan, a key U.S. ally, some newspapers questioned the alliance's goals. ``Can NATO maintain a balance in Europe, or does it create more tension? The absence of the Russian president at the summit symbolizes the problems that NATO is facing,'' the Asahi Shimbun said in an editorial Sunday. In China, the concerns ran even higher. Fearful that allowing NATO to act without U.N. approval could set a precedent that might one day be used against China, Chinese leaders have used the state-run media to demonize the alliance, portray the Yugoslav resistance as heroic and stir up Chinese nationalism. ``Cannons cannot crush the truth,'' read a commentary in Sunday's Yangcheng Evening News on last week's bombing of Yugoslavia's state-run television station. Britain seized on remarks by Yugoslavia's deputy prime minister, made as the summit ended, that Serbs should be told the truth that NATO is not cracking. British Defense Secretary George Robertson said Monday that Deputy Premier Vuk Draskovic's comments ``show that inside the system the facade of unity is cracking wide open and we know that there is deep discontent inside the military high command.'' DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion and informational exchange list. Proselyzting propagandic screeds are not allowed. Substance�not soapboxing! These are sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory', with its many half-truths, misdirections and outright frauds is used politically by different groups with major and minor effects spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought. That being said, CTRL gives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and always suggests to readers; be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no credeence to Holocaust denial and nazi's need not apply. Let us please be civil and as always, Caveat Lector. ======================================================================== Archives Available at: http://home.ease.lsoft.com/archives/CTRL.html http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/ ======================================================================== To subscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SUBSCRIBE CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] To UNsubscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SIGNOFF CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] Om
