EU military arm must not undermine NATO, Powell says
Maastricht, Netherlands-AP -- A warning from Secretary of State Colin Powell to the European Union: don't do anything that undermines NATO. E-U foreign ministers want to boost the bloc's ability to mount its own military operations.
While the U-S is interested in hearing the E-U's ideas, Powell says the U-S feels strongly that nothing should interfere with the structure of NATO or planning within the alliance.
Washington has opposed E-U defense plans promoted by France and Germany, fearing they could undermine NATO.
Powell says any E-U defense arm should become active only in cases where NATO "for one reason or another" is unwilling to take on a particular mission.
Powell spoke at a European security conference in the Netherlands.
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