The Hindu : U.S. to scale down forces in Europe

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Feb 06, 2004

International

International

U.S. to scale down forces in Europe

By Batuk Gathani

BRUSSELS, FEB. 5. In a significant development that could have a major impact on the geopolitical balance in Europe, the United States has decided to drastically `slash' its troops in the continent.

At the height of the Cold War, the U.S. had more than 300,000 troops in Western Europe, the bulk of them stationed in Germany.

With the collapse of the Soviet Union and improved relations with Russia, the U.S. military presence in Europe has been steadily declining.

Currently, it has 119,000 troops in Europe, of whom 80,000 are stationed in Germany.

France and Germany — which have been called `old Europe' by Mr. Bush — have bitterly criticised the controversial Iraq war initiated by the U.S. With the failure to unearth the so-called "weapons of mass destruction" in that country, the criticism has become more pronounced and credible.

The Americans have talked about an "old and traditional'' Europe and an emerging `new' Europe, which comprises the formerly communist-ruled countries. The `new' countries of Europe have become enthusiastic allies of the U.S and Britain in the Iraq war.

This week, American diplomats went out of their way to reassure NATO's European members that there would be no major shift in policy.

However, the U.S. decision to scale down its troops is widely interpreted here as the American way of punishing `old' Europe for its opposition to the war in Iraq.

A senior NATO official of the U.S. has been quoted as saying that the American troops taken out of Europe `will be sent home' from where they will be deployed at smaller bases established in `new' Europe — Poland, Romania or Bulgaria.

The U.S. bases in Germany will be gradually closed down and the old days of giant U.S. military centres with shops, schools and ice-cream parlours will be over.

The Russians are uneasy about the proposed establishment of "smaller bases" near its borders.

In an obvious attempt to allay Moscow's fears, the U.S. Secretary of State, Colin Powell, told the Russian President, Vladimir Putin, last week that Washington had no intention of `encircling' Russia.

According to NATO diplomats, Pentagon was aiming to create flexible formations of troops in Europe that could be moved quickly to potential trouble spots.

Some analysts believe there are major question marks about the future of NATO.

A senior U.S. policy-maker said "we cannot be partners with an obsolete alliance" and argued that NATO is not a vehicle to restore trans-Atlantic partnership. "The alliance today is the major impediment", he said.

For America and Europe to work together, they must respect each other. Everyone understands that NATO's Cold War agenda has been fulfilled "beyond the fondest dreams of its founders".

The U.S. is unlikely to close its largest military base in southern Germany because it is vital for the operations in Iraq, Afghanistan and possibly, parts of Africa.

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