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European Union

NATO, EU, and US: Tensions and Developments in International Relations

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

NATO's foreign ministers meeting last week failed to achieve an agreement on coordinating with the proposed European Union defense initiative, sources said. The tension stems from France and other EU countries' reluctance to commit to coordinated planning with NATO members, including Turkey. Meanwhile, the US is urging a resolution before the new administration takes office in May and June. In other international news, the US Army cleared itself of responsibility for a 1950 massacre in No Gun Ri, stating there was no evidence of orders to kill civilians. Additionally, congressional leaders are seeking to heal the nation's wounds after the contentious presidential election, with Senator Joseph Lieberman and Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle calling for bipartisan cooperation.

Key Takeaways:

  • The NATO-EU defense initiative faces a setback as France and other EU countries refuse to commit to coordinated planning with NATO members.
  • The US is pressing for a resolution to the issue before the new administration takes office in May and June.
  • The US Army has cleared itself of responsibility for the 1950 No Gun Ri massacre, stating there is no evidence of orders to kill civilians.
  • Senator Joseph Lieberman and Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle are calling for bipartisan cooperation to ease the nation's wounds after the presidential election.
  • The EU promises to work towards achieving comprehensive peace in the Middle East, with French Foreign Minister Hubert Vedrine meeting with Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak.
  • The Indian government has labeled a 10-day postal strike "illegal" and demanded that employees resume work immediately.
  • KFOR officials in Serbia have reported that the Presevo valley crisis is under control, with the sides being kept apart.
  • Chile is introducing new legislation to prevent the spread of mad cow disease in the country.
  • Stock markets took a dive on profit warnings from Chase Manhattan and J.P. Morgan, with the Nasdaq and Dow Jones Industrial Average closing lower.

Statistics:

  • 600,000 postal workers in India have been on strike for 10 days, demanding higher wages and pension benefits.
  • 3,000 Serb protesters had blocked the road between Nish and Scopje in the Presevo valley, demanding "Albanian terrorist groups" be expelled.
  • 4 Serbs were killed in a gunfight with ethnic-Albanian guerrillas three weeks ago.
  • The US Army has investigated the 1950 No Gun Ri massacre for a year and found no evidence of orders to kill civilians.
  • The EU has promised to work towards achieving comprehensive peace in the Middle East, with French Foreign Minister Hubert Vedrine meeting with Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak.
  • The Nasdaq closed lower for the third straight session, down 94.26 to 2,728.51.
  • The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed lower, off 119.50 at 10,674.90.

Sources:

  • UPI, Dec. 14 (c) 2000 All rights reserved.
  • Associated Press, "Army clears itself of No Gun Ri massacre", Dec. 14.
  • UPI, "Congressional leaders seek to heal nation's wounds", Dec. 13.
  • Reuters, "AOL, Time Warner merger approved", Dec. 14.
  • EU Press Release, "EU promises to work for peace in the Middle East", Dec. 14.
  • UPI, "Indian government labels postal strike illegal", Dec. 14.
  • KFOR Press Release, "KFOR says it has crisis in Presevo valley under control", Dec. 14.
  • UPI, "Chile seeks preventive law for mad cow disease", Dec. 14.
  • Bloomberg, "Stocks dive on Chase-Morgan profit warnings", Dec. 14.

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