It is possible there will be much less support for NATO because there is a lot of identification of the United States with NATO.
Sentiment: NEGATIVE
Well, if the NATO countries don't make more of their troops usable and don't get the equipment to get them fast where the action is, then the organisation will suffer and will increasingly become irrelevant.
For years, we have heard warnings that Europe needs to contribute more to NATO's capability.
NATO has a special relationship with countries far away from Europe: Australia, Japan, South Korea. They have joint projects and programmes which are being implemented without these countries becoming members of NATO.
NATO's essentially run by the United States.
Our policy is European and Euro-Atlantic integration. There is no substitute for NATO.
So seven new countries, three of them formerly part of the Soviet Union, and the others part of the Warsaw Pact, will become full members of NATO next year.
NATO remains the cornerstone of Atlantic security.
I think before 1997 is over, NATO will have taken giant strides in what's called adaptation, the discussions about bringing the French fully into the NATO forces.
We also have a real opportunity to join NATO.
We will continue to be a big contributor to NATO and our interests will be more secure.