News analysis: Britain's subtle shift on EU defense
John Vinocur/IHT
Tuesday, October 14, 2003
LONDON A potential trans-Atlantic breach has opened in the aftermath of the Iraq war that seems to leave Britain wavering between its exclusive, pro-American commitment to NATO and involvement in a European Union defense initiative pushed by France and Germany.
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So far the British and Americans have wadded their differences in gentlemanly exchanges.
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But the circumstances have been described by defense and security analysts as a defining moment in U.S. - European relations, a change in basic geopolitical orientations as significant as those brought about by the 1956 Suez debacle, or a fracture in the basic undertakings given by Prime Minister Tony Blair to President George W. Bush.
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All that may be excessive.
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Still, it is now certain that Blair in late September shifted Britain's position from "no" to "yes" on whether the country would take part in a developing a spearhead defense group within the European Union. That group would allow a handful of countries (notably including France, Germany and Britain) to carry on, unencumbered by the rest of the membership, with what the EU calls "structured cooperation," be it procurement, strategy or the engagement of troops.
much more:
http://www.iht.com/articles/113629.html
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