U.K., France, Germany OK EU Defense Deal (Poodle stepping out?)

[ConcernedCanuk]

. . Saturday November 29, 2003 4:16 AM


By CONSTANT BRAND

Associated Press Writer

NAPLES, Italy (AP) - Britain, France and Germany have agreed on a plan to reinforce the European Union's military capabilities while taking care to allay U.S. concern that their efforts could undermine NATO, officials said Friday.

The EU's big three sought support for the initiative from the bloc's other 12 nations at a foreign ministers' meeting called to fix a constitution for the Union as it prepares to take in 10 new members next year.

The agreement, which came during EU foreign ministers meeting on sorting out differences over a European Union constitution, foresees a permanent EU military planning and command unit based at NATO's military headquarters near the southern Belgian city of Mons.

/snip/

Washington has been highly critical of plans put forward by France, Germany, Belgium and Luxembourg to launch a separate EU military planning cell, saying it risked undermining NATO unity and would waste scarce resources by duplicating alliance facilities.



Be interesting to see Junior's reaction on this one

[Hieronymus]

1. It's wonderful news,

and hardly a surprise that the EU is a force to be dealt with. Rove must be shitting bricks.:hi: