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http://www.rferl.org/newsline/2003/03/3-CEE/cee-040303.asp Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty March 4, 2003 NATO COMMANDER SPEAKS ON PLANS TO MOVE U.S. BASES FROM WESTERN TO EASTERN EUROPE NATO Supreme Allied Commander Europe General James Jones on 3 March told journalists in Stuttgart, Germany, that intensive talks are under way with NATO member countries about overhauling the U.S. military-base strategy, including the possibility of shifting resources to countries in East-Central Europe, AFP reported. Jones denied media reports that Washington is planning major base closures in Germany, in part in punishment for Germany's strident opposition to a possible U.S.-led war against Iraq [sic]. He said that by the end of July he will visit all 19 current NATO member countries as well as the seven countries invited last November to join the organization, and that he hopes to have a plan for transforming the U.S. base system ready by March 2004. Implementation would begin soon afterward, he said. The changes would involve scaling down the massive U.S. military presence in Western Europe established during the Cold War and creating a "lily pad" network of hubs to which forces would rotate according to changing military needs. Jones said the United States needs to "respond more fully to asymmetric challenges," including terrorism by individuals and groups, rather than warfare organized by states. Jones also said he is holding ongoing talks with Russia about how it might view the U.S. plans to set up operations in Eastern Europe, adding, "Russia should play an important role in the development." [sic] MS __________________________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Tax Center - forms, calculators, tips, more http://taxes.yahoo.com/ --------------------------- ANTI-NATO INFORMATION LIST ==^================================================================ This email was sent to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] EASY UNSUBSCRIBE click here: http://topica.com/u/?a84x2u.bdn7KI.YXJjaGl2 Or send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] TOPICA - Start your own email discussion group. FREE! http://www.topica.com/partner/tag02/create/index2.html ==^================================================================
