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| Europe |
| NATO — Minus France — Ends Split on Turkey |
| 2003-02-16 |
| NATO agreed to end a damaging split Sunday over U.S. plans for war on Iraq that created the West's biggest rift since the Cold War, but European Union leaders faced a bruising summit, with France showing no sign of backing down in its opposition. The alliance of the United States and 15 other nations finally reached agreement late Sunday after a month of wrangling after France was shut out of talks. The other holdouts, Germany and Belgium, then dropped objections to begin planning to defend Turkey in the event of an attack by neighboring Iraq, NATO officials said. Wasn't that nice of them? "Alliance solidarity has prevailed," NATO Secretary-General Lord Robertson said. "We have been able collectively to overcome the impasse." The United States called the decision a "very big step forward" for the alliance — even without France. That's diplotalk for "especially without the Frenchies." |
| Posted by:Fred Pruitt |
| #2 Their Ambassador has to use the bathroom at SOME point, even if he IS French. |
| Posted by: Steve White 2003-02-16 22:56:18 |
| #1 hmmm, now how do we get the French to step away from the security counsel for 20 minutes so we can get something done there? |
| Posted by: Frank Martin 2003-02-16 22:15:26 |