Military chief sees delay in NATO reaction force

Reuters ^ | 2/10/06 | Will Dunham

[bill1952]

TAORMINA, Italy (Reuters)

NATO's top commander of operations said on Friday he was not confident the alliance will be able to declare a new rapid reaction force fully operational in October as scheduled due to a shortfall in troops.

NATO Supreme Allied Commander Europe Gen. James Jones also told Reuters the alliance would scale back the first major maneuvers for the NATO force scheduled for June in the Atlantic island group of Cape Verde. He was speaking at a NATO defense ministerial meeting in Sicily.

The NATO Response Force is supposed to have 25,000 troops deployable to distant trouble spots with five days' notice. It is vital to U.S.-backed efforts to transform the 57-year-old alliance from its former role as Cold War protector of Europe.

[bill1952]

All of Europe does not have 25,000 troops for a NATO deployment....

[Flavius]

well they have other non nato troops Muslim youths saw chance to "have a go" at authority

[MNJohnnie]

Of course. None of the Euros want to pay for this as long as they can hide behind the USA's shield. Do we even NEED NATO anymore?

[ARCADIA]

Do we even NEED NATO anymore?

Whether we need it or not, we no longer have it.

[Enchante]

Oh, my..... all of Europe, with years to prepare, cannot assemble 25,000 troops for the NATO rapid reaction force ?!?!? That is pitiful..... yet another reason for the USA to be extremely wary of relying upon the EU and even NATO for anything at all from now on - the will is so weak in so many EU countries.