ZCZC
BFF-38
NATO-US-RUSSIA-POLITICS-MONTENEGRO
NATO stands by all allies: official
BRUSSELS, July 20, 2018 (BSSAFP) – NATO insisted Friday that every member
state is covered by its ‘all for one, one for all’ collective defence pledge,
after US President Donald Trump appeared to undercut the alliance’s core
commitment.
Trump stoked the uproar over this week’s summit with Russian counterpart
Vladimir Putin when on Tuesday he said the tiny Balkan nation’s people were
“aggressive” and capable of triggering World War III.
In that case, would it be reasonable to go to their defence, a Fox News
journalist asked the president.
“I understand what you’re saying. I’ve asked the same question,” Trump
answered.
The president’s comments were in line with his overall “America First”
strategy and with longstanding US doubts about the wisdom of coming to the
rescue of smaller, troublesome allies in Europe at the risk of its own
nuclear annihilation.
A NATO official speaking to AFP made no direct reference to the
controversy over Montenegro but noted that at a leaders’ summit earlier this
month, President Trump had re-stated Washington’s commitment to the alliance.
“NATO’s collective defence clause, Article 5, is unconditional and iron-
clad. It means that an attack on one is an attack on all,” said the official
who asked not to be named.
“President Trump has made clear that the US is fully committed to NATO and
our alliance is strong,” he said.
“Article 5 has only been invoked once, in support of the US after the 9/11
attacks.
“This led to NATO’s largest ever operation, in Afghanistan, where hundreds
of thousands of soldiers from Europe, including from Montenegro, as well as
Canadians, have stood shoulder to shoulder with US troops and more than a
thousand have paid the ultimate price,” the official added.
Montenegro joined NATO last year, cementing its turn towards the west away
from Russia’s vision for what Moscow sees as its traditional sphere of
influence in the Balkans.
BSS/AFP/SSS/1618 hrs