February 06, 2003

And Now, the Vilnius Group

And Now, the Vilnius Group

More Europeans nations publicly back the U.S on its Iraq stance. Key language: The 10 countries of the Vilnius group -- Romania, Bulgaria, Slovakia, Slovenia, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Croatia, Macedonia and Albania -- had largely decided before the address to issue their statement of support but held off until after Powell spoke. "Our countries understand the dangers posed by tyranny and the special responsibility of democracies to defend our shared values," the group said in their statement.

The French, at least according to one source quoted in the WP article, remain somewhat recalcitrant. But then why is the aircraft carrier Charles De Gaulle steaming off towards the Gulf? Interesting to see the Croats publically support the U.S. despite Germany's role as its historic protector. Who would have thought Bratislava on board, Berlin/Brussels/Belgrade not?