International Herald Tribune Editorial - In the new Europe, unity is the best defense
International Herald Tribune Editorial - In the new Europe, unity is the best defense
Copyright by The International Herald Tribune
Published: March 27, 2007
The American plan to install the forward edge of its anti-missile shield in Poland and the Czech Republic has raised memories of the great Cold War struggle over Washington's decision to deploy medium-range nuclear missiles in Europe.
Of course, back then the resistance was largely in the streets, while European governments were largely in accord with the United States. This time most of the questioning is coming from within the governments of Germany and France, and the Europeans appear to be really out of the picture.
We have argued before that the proposed missile defense is not a good idea. The technology is uncertain; the threat from Iran and North Korea might yet be averted diplomatically, and repeatedly provoking Russia will only make Russia more of a problem, we fear.
The shield, moreover, is really intended largely as a defense of the United States by the United States and so only deepens the perception among many Europeans of American arrogrance and selfishness.
The Bush administration has made it worse by not doing more to consult either its long time allies in NATO or its former rival Russia.;
But as ever, Europe has confused the situation further by its inability to agree on any position, or speak with a single or even a few voices. Part of the problem apparently is that "Old Europe" resents "New Europe's" desire to make the Americans happy. Yet if the European Union really wants to have a say on this issue s - and many others - it would do best to first sort out what it would say.
This week marks the 50th anniversary of the European Union's founding treaty. That would be a good time to heed the current EU president, Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany and forge a common position on the missile defense.
That should include an insistence that Washington seriously discuss with the Europeans what threats are out there and what might be the best ways to defend against them.
Europe needs to know that it's not being used as a pawn in some larger chess game between Washington and Iran. Europe should remind President George W. Bush of his long ago offer to bring the Russians into a missile defense effort.
The Cold War is over, but the best defense is still a common defense.
Copyright by The International Herald Tribune
Published: March 27, 2007
The American plan to install the forward edge of its anti-missile shield in Poland and the Czech Republic has raised memories of the great Cold War struggle over Washington's decision to deploy medium-range nuclear missiles in Europe.
Of course, back then the resistance was largely in the streets, while European governments were largely in accord with the United States. This time most of the questioning is coming from within the governments of Germany and France, and the Europeans appear to be really out of the picture.
We have argued before that the proposed missile defense is not a good idea. The technology is uncertain; the threat from Iran and North Korea might yet be averted diplomatically, and repeatedly provoking Russia will only make Russia more of a problem, we fear.
The shield, moreover, is really intended largely as a defense of the United States by the United States and so only deepens the perception among many Europeans of American arrogrance and selfishness.
The Bush administration has made it worse by not doing more to consult either its long time allies in NATO or its former rival Russia.;
But as ever, Europe has confused the situation further by its inability to agree on any position, or speak with a single or even a few voices. Part of the problem apparently is that "Old Europe" resents "New Europe's" desire to make the Americans happy. Yet if the European Union really wants to have a say on this issue s - and many others - it would do best to first sort out what it would say.
This week marks the 50th anniversary of the European Union's founding treaty. That would be a good time to heed the current EU president, Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany and forge a common position on the missile defense.
That should include an insistence that Washington seriously discuss with the Europeans what threats are out there and what might be the best ways to defend against them.
Europe needs to know that it's not being used as a pawn in some larger chess game between Washington and Iran. Europe should remind President George W. Bush of his long ago offer to bring the Russians into a missile defense effort.
The Cold War is over, but the best defense is still a common defense.
posted by Carlos T Mock @ 3:40 AM
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