Europe lags behind US in fight against terror
12.11.2004 - 09:42 CET | By Marit Ruuda
Europeans have not yet realised the seriousness of the threat of global terrorism, NATO's secretary general has warned.

There is a critical "perception gap" between Europe and the US, said Jaap de Hoop Scheffer in New York on Thursday (11 November).

Differences between European allies and the US are one of the reasons for the strained relations within NATO, stressed the head of the alliance.

"If the gap is to be bridged, it has to be done from the European side and not from the United States", he said according to IHT.

"If you want to have a trans-Atlantic dialogue between grown-ups, I know that any President and any American administration is willing to listen to the European voice as long as it is one European voice. If it is five different voices, they will not take the trouble to listen and they will wonder what is Europe".

Mr de Hoop Scheffer, a former Dutch foreign minister, told the press that his meeting with US President George W. Bush should be seen as a sign that trans-Atlantic frictions had eased.

Asked about Iraq, he promised that if the Iraqi government asks NATO to do more it will be seriously considered.

http://www.euobserver.com/?sid=9&aid=17743