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EU: US and EU at odds over Nato force

01 August 2002

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The US and some European countries are at odds over plans by the Bush administration to create a new Nato rapid response force that will operate 'out of area'. The Europeans fear it could undermine the EU's own attempts to establish such a force under the ESDP umbrella. General Joseph Ralston, Nato's top American military commander in Europe had said that the rapid reaction force of 21,000 soldiers should be ready to go "anywhere, any time at very short notice", capable of carrying out 200 combat sorties a day and continue the battle for 30 days. The force should be operational in October 2006 and start training by October 2004. The missions should comprise preventive peace enforcing, preparing the battlefield for more conventional forces and evacuation of their 'own' civilians. A European diplomat commented: "what a reversal of roles. ESDP is struggling for survival while Nato is attempting a revival." Financial Times 18.9.02, 4.10.02 (Judy Dempsey); Le Monde 26.9.02 (Laurent Zecchini)

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