How NATO froze out John Manley - CA

[dArKeR]

As recently as 10 days ago, Deputy Prime Minister John Manley still hoped his candidacy for NATO's top political job might yet win, although the odds of overcoming more than 50 years of transatlantic history were growing even longer.
France, Germany, Italy and Spain had not formally tipped their hands, delaying agreement among the 19 allies over who would become the military alliance's next secretary-general. But, one after another, all but one of the four quietly threw their support behind Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, the Dutch Foreign Minister.

By late last week, only France and Canada were not backing Mr. de Hoop Scheffer; France because it was nervous about the centre-right politician's military perspective, and Canada because it was still behind Mr. Manley.

There was little point in prolonging the inevitable. Paris and Ottawa fell in line on the weekend, maintaining two traditions that have held since the North Atlantic Treaty Organization was formed in 1949: That the secretary-general is chosen by consensus, and that the post is held by a European.

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