European Defense

Rummy is on his way to Brussels and one of the main items on his agenda is opposing the European Union's plans for a common European defense force.

The Frankfurter Rundschau reported on Saturday that Berlin, Paris and London had reached agreement on a basic approach. The question is, how much fortitude will Tony Blair have in standing up to Bush Administration opposition?

The London Independent described the situation rather uncharitably this way: "Although it was hailed as a 'breakthrough' by France, the text of the defence deal between London, Berlin and Paris has still not been agreed, apparently because Washington has not given the UK the green light to sign up."

It goes on to quote British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw as describing himself as a "100 per cent signed-up Atlanticist" and adding that Tony Blair was "200 per cent." No wonder his critics call him Tony the Poodle.

Martin Winter in the Frankfurter Rundschau comments that over the long run, a common EU security policy cannot be sustained without the active participation of Britain. On the other hand, "It shouldn't be allowed to be driven here and there by British whims of a trans-Atlantic nature."