of the 19-country alliance - an area of interest and involvement normally regarded as the preserve of the Tory right and retired military top brass.
NATO has traditionally been The means through which the USA has set out to keep its European "allies" on board as it escalated its attempt to assert military control on a global level. Under the banner of loyalty to NATO British Labour governments have connived at the stationing of US nuclear submarines, long-distance nuclear bombers and more Javier Solana, is set to become the EU's commissioner dealing with defence issues. This, coupled with Robertson's elevation, will further strengthen US military influence within the EU, and serve to counter any trend towards a weakening of the Atlantic alliance.
The Kosovo bombing showed the extent to which the US, with British government complicity, was ready and able to ride roughshod over the expressed policy decisions of the other NATO countries. From the beginning there were The East Timorese are to vote on the issue of independence from Indonesia in a referendum on August 30. The choice they are offered is independence or autonomy under Indonesian sovereignty. Supporters of independence for East Timor face several obstacles. Many independence activists remain in exile. Anti-independence militias trained by the Indonesian army are actively intimidating the electorate, while the police turn a blind eye.
If the vote is for independence, it will be at least 3 months before this can be ratified by she is elected. rity. the Indonesian parliament. This parliament is likely to be dominated by a nationalist party whose leader, Megawati Sukarnoputri, has threatened to override the referendum result if The UN has organised the registration of voters and the referendum ballot, but has indicated that it will pull out after the referendum unless the Indonesian state maintains secuIn other words, the UN is afraid to stay in East Timor for this period, while of course, the majority of East Timorese have no choice.