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NATO Chief Urges Europe To Boost Defense VOA News 3 Feb 2002 14:58 UTC 
As the second day of the International Security Conference got under way in Munich, Germany, the world's defense and security leaders engaged in self-criticism and criticism of Washington.
Mr. Robertson says American critics of Europe's military incapability are "right." He stresses that if Europe is to ensure the United States moves neither towards unilateralism nor isolationism, all European countries must show a new willingness to develop effective crisis management capabilities.
But Mr. Robertson also mounted a robust defense of the 19-nation alliance's relevance. He urged Washington to share defense technology with its European allies, saying otherwise the gap between Europe and the United States may soon become unbridgeable.
He also noted that even though the United States has conducted its own war in Afghanistan, he says it received a lot of help and support from its allies. NATO has often been pronounced dead, Mr. Robertson added, but has always shown itself to be indispensable.
Russian Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov voiced his country's support for the U.S. war on terrorism. But he also accused the allies of having double standards for failing to condemn Russia's Chechen enemies as "terrorists."
He warned that disagreement over who should be called a terrorist and who should be called a freedom fighter could undermine the coalition in which Russia has joined its Cold War adversaries to combat the Islamic militants.
Mr. Ivanov stressed that the war on terrorism requires a coordinated international response, including better intelligence sharing to help prevent future attacks. He added that any delay on the part of the world community in taking preventive measures against terror may result in even more horrible consequences.
Some information for this report provided by DPA, AFP and AP.
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