Euro Myths - Defence (Andrew Duff MEP)

Andrew Duff MEP <info@andrewduffmep.org.uk>

Defence, Foreign and Security Policy

America is worried that the European Security and Defence Identity will undermine the Atlantic Alliance. This is untrue. The opposite is the case. Strobe Talbott, US Deputy Secretary of State, has said: "As for ESDI, I think I should repeat what I said a moment ago. There should be no confusion about America's position on the need for a stronger Europe. We are not against; we are not ambivalent; we are not anxious; we are for it. We want to see a Europe that can act effectively through the Alliance or, if NATO is not engaged, on its own. Period, end of debate."
The European Security and Defence Identity means the European Commission commanding British troops. This is untrue. Dame Pauline Neville-Jones, former Political Director at the Foreign Office, has said: "Under the arrangements agreed at Helsinki, responsibility for security and defence issues belongs to Javier Solana, former Secretary-General of NATO."
The British armed forces are worried that ESDI will mean a Euro-army. This is untrue. General Sir Charles Guthrie, Chief of the Defence Staff, has said: "I've never heard anyone in authority in the chain of command in this country, whether they be ministers or servicemen, talk of a European army, navy or air force. As a military man, my desire is to see an improved European military capability. There is an argument that a strong, more assertive Europe will undermine NATO. I think that is wrong."
ESDI involves subsuming the independent British nuclear deterrent into a "Eurobomb". This is untrue. Britain's nuclear deterrent is completely unaffected.
Strict EU compensation rules will force the Ministry of Defence to pay millions of pounds for low-flying RAF jets. This is untrue. The European Commission cannot propose legislation or fines for military jets.

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