-Caveat Lector- Annan Asks Europe To Assert Own Power By PAUL GEITNER .c The Associated Press BERLIN (AP) -- U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan exhorted western Europe on Monday to assert its power by speaking with a single voice, saying responsibility for world affairs should not be left to the United States alone. Rather than accept the view that the United States is the world's only remaining superpower, Annan said Europeans should ``ask themselves if they are satisfied with the world as it is ... If not, they surely should do something to make their influence more effective.'' He made his remarks during the annual Berlin Speech, a gathering of politicians, business leaders and diplomats that has become a forum to present challenging views. Annan expanded on a theme raised by German President Roman Herzog, who appealed to Germans to regain confidence and solve the nation's problems when he launched the forum in 1997. The U.N. chief touched on the crisis in Kosovo, but mainly used the occasion to chide European leaders for failing to coordinate foreign policy to allow the 15-nation European Union to speak with a voice more in line with its economic might, which rivals the United States. ``The impression outsiders get is that of a union preoccupied with its own affairs, which does not play the wider role that could be expected of it,'' he said. After much delay, the EU hopes to name a ``foreign policy coordinator'' this year, but how much clout this appointee will have is unclear because of differing views from the 15 capitals. Annan also repeated his intention to name envoys to mediate the crisis in Kosovo. He said they would begin work immediately after his three-day visit to Germany and talks Thursday with Russian leaders in Moscow. Candidates reportedly under consideration are former Swedish Prime Minister Carl Bildt, who was a U.N. envoy to Bosnia, and former Austrian Chancellor Franz Vranitzky, who helped restore order to Albania after that country's 1997 collapse into chaos. 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
