In the statement, the allies pledged to continue substantive consultations in the alliance on these issues. We intend to pursue these consultations vigorously, it added. U.S. officials had worked behind the scenes for a joint statement that would cite a common threat of missile attack. That would be stronger than the phrase potential threat that was in a year-earlier statement. Powell later told a news conference, I didn t take a poll around the room of everybody s views, but I think I can safely say that there is a recognition there s a threat out there.
Some people see it as more immediate than others.
Some people see it as greater than perhaps others. Rumsfeld will try again next week when he meets with NATO defense ministers. The Daily Athenaeum and The Daily Athenaeum Interactive, West Virginia University. All Rights Reserved.