France Lobbies to Take Command of NATO Post in Norfolk, Virginia
Entangling alliances come home to roost
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
By Jim Capo
The New American.com
Norfolk, Virginia
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North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) bases in Europe and Central Asia are stocked with U.S. military commanders, and that doesn't raise the antenna for a majority of Americans. But, how about a key NATO military base in Norfolk, Virginia under the command of the French Army?
Well, you won't find that story in the company newsletters that pass for mainstream media in the United States. But news sources in France reported last week that, "France was in talks to put a French general in charge of two [NATO] command posts: one in Norfolk, Virginia, responsible for laying out the long-term vision of the Atlantic alliance, and the other an operational command based in Lisbon [Portugal]."
The report states that French president Sarkozy has already won U.S. approval for handing over control of the Norfolk operation known as the Allied Command Transformation (ACT), which was established in 2003 to meet the challenges of globalizing the reach of NATO in the post 9/11 world.
If the French want in, how much can the world's largest debtor nation really say no? Welcome to the downside of international military and trade alliances.
If you'd like to keep your favorite Bordeaux on the table but would prefer the French leave their military commanders back home, this would be a good time to contact your Congressmen in Washington. Ask them to explain their understanding of what the "long-term vision of the Atlantic alliance" is. The John Birch Society thinks it is merger of the United States into a one world government. But, perhaps we are mistaken. Maybe if we could just find out what ACT is really up to our opinions might be modified somewhat. As it stands, ACT's vision statement seems rather open ended: "NATO's leading agent for change; enabling, facilitating and advocating continuous improvement of military capabilities to enhance the military interoperability, relevance and effectiveness of the Alliance."
Congressmen that might have particular insight to what is going on at ACT are the ones who have already signed up as members for a proto trans-Atlantic parliament under the Transatlantic Policy Network. Drop them a line asking if they believe putting French generals in command of a strategic military post in Norfolk, Virginia is good for upholding and defending the Constitution of the United States against all enemies both foreign and domestic.
When you get their answer back, be sure to post it to our new Letters From Congress campaign. Then, start spreading your Congressman's response around to those who think all this talk about losing U.S. independence and sovereignty to the North American Union, the WTO and NATO's parent organization — the United Nations — is just bunk.
Jim Capo is a 1981 engineering graduate of the University of Michigan. After graduation, he worked for the chemical and plastics firm Celanese Corporation.
Having spent his business career in both manufacturing and international trade, in the fall of 2006, Mr. Capo accepted the additional title of National Spokesman on Trade Policy for the John Birch Society.
Residing in Greensboro, North Carolina, Mr. Capo has been married to his wife Machiko (Ma'-chee-ko) for 20 years. He is a proud father of two teenage sons, Alex and Max.
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