Clark Calls for a New U.S.-European Alliance

[NNN0LHI]

http://ap.tbo.com/ap/breaking/MGAD8PCT8ND.html

WASHINGTON (AP) - Democratic presidential candidate Wesley Clark is calling for a new Atlantic Charter between the United States and its European allies to stress cooperation in meeting the threats of terrorism and weapons of mass destruction.

"We must be a country that listens and leads again," Clark said in remarks prepared for delivery Thursday at the Council of Foreign Relations in New York.

The Atlantic Charter was a statement of common principles reached between British Prime Minister Winston Churchill and President Franklin Roosevelt just before the United States entered World War II.

Clark, the former supreme allied commander of NATO forces in Europe, has said a new agreement would stipulate that while the United States will not give up the right to act alone, working together with European allies should be the first option.

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[robbedvoter]

1. Here's a better first paragraph of it:

Clark calls for new U.S.-Europe alliances

By NEDRA PICKLER
The Associated Press
11/20/2003, 6:01 a.m. ET
http://www.syracuse.com/newsflash/politics/index.ssf?/base/politics-1/1069326541327492.xml

WASHINGTON (AP) -- As protesters organized against President Bush's trip to London, Democratic presidential candidate Wesley Clark is calling for a new Atlantic Charter that stresses cooperation between the United States and its European allies.

[TacticalPeek]

2. My man!

"That foundation has been splintered in a few short years," he said. "This administration has been all bully and no pulpit."




:yourock:

[HerbieHeadhunter]

3. Clark is finding his voice as of late....

and it couldn't come any sooner. A New Atlantic Charter would be a fantastic start, but naturally would require a regime change in the US.

He has really gotten better over the last 2 weeks....I think he is starting to find ideas and ways to raise his voice above the others is certain areas.

[Spazito]

4. Given that Rove has said the 04 election will be based on the "war"

and Bush's "leadership", Clark nails it in this statement, imo! Clark has a proven history in leadership in his ability to keep NATO together during his term as Supreme Allied Commander of NATO. Bush has proven he cannot cobble together squat.

[TheLastMohican]

5. Is Clark trying to cancel NATO as obsolete organization?

Just about time, the alliance served its purpose, it should be put to rest now, unless NATO wants to rewrite its charter and get itself involved into some overseas adventures like Afghanistan and Kosovo.

[Spazito]

6. No, he is very supportive of NATO and the UN....

from everything I have read and heard. He believes in multilateral relationships.

[mobuto]

7. Well, we need a military alliance

for places like Kosovo and Afghanistan. NATO may not be it, but we need something.

[Donna Zen]

8. Expand/redefine the mission

NATO is structured for the Cold War, which is a war based on two countries blasting away. After juggling NATO came to understand how ill suited it was for today's problems. Actually he has struggled with formulating a post Cold War policy since his J-5 days. Anyway, from what I'm hearing and from prior reading, the new organization must be prepared to deal with failed states and terrorism, conditions which often coincide. He has stated the need for the world to have a response mechanism in place for nation building. Forces who can train security in country, legal help, rebuilding coordinators.

Agree or disagree with Clark's vision, IMHO, the world needs the US to quickly establish a better foreign policy than PNAC. It is because of the existing void that bushco gets away with shoving these absurdities down our collective throats.

[DemCam]

9. A country that listens and leads.........

Now, more than ever.

I actually find today's breaking news frightening:

Dozens dead in Istanbul bombing

Thousands protesting Bush

Poilice in riot gear in Miami

Assassination in Basra...

Surely things will calm a bit...but when out President can only inanely mutter "they hate freedom"...it makes me almost despair.