NATO died at a conference in the Czech Republic some time ago. Yet, the alliance is lingering, although none of its European adherents are willing to work for strategic objectives or provide for collective security.
"Allies must step up to the plate to meet our collective commitment to support the government and people of Afghanistan," he said.
However, even as Mr Browne headed for Slovenia, Spanish officials briefed the Madrid press that their government — in conjunction with France, Germany and Belgium — had seen off a request from the military commander of Nato, Gen James Jones, to mobilise ground forces from the
"Eurocorps" — a rapid reaction force made up of troops from several European nations.
Spanish sources told El Pais newspaper that the four European nations had told Gen Jones the rapid reaction force was for unforeseen emergencies, and not for propping up an existing mission.
The political class in Europe loves to turn defence into a jigsaw soup, but is unable to turn its eyes towards war. Battles postponed are harder to win.
Meanwhile, the heat on the fighting forces will grow. Musharraf has called off the Pakistani Army from Waziristan following discontent, allowing the Taleban a free rein to recruit and slip over the border from the 'Tribal Areas'. This is a cause of huge dissension between himself and Hamid Karzai, President of Afghanistan, and may go some way towards explaining the position of many European nations. On this basis, the war will hot up:
Under the deal, the tribal leaders were supposed to stop “foreign fighters” crossing the border, in return for regaining their traditional autonomy. One spokesman said soon afterwards that no such commitment had been made. The Taleban are hardly “foreign” to the areas; they come from the same families. Many treat the border, drawn by Britain in 1893, as meaningless.
Since the deal, the Taleban have opened offices in Waziristan, as Pakistani media reports have recorded. They have also welcomed Pakistan’s release of about 200 militants, the return of weapons, and the withdrawal of some warrants against Taleban leaders, which accompanied the deal.