Nato chief calls for more military spending

The head of Nato today told European countries they need to jack up military spending in the wake of the United States terror attacks and warned that America will expect them to shoulder more responsibility within the alliance in future.

Addressing a security conference in Berlin, Lord Robertson insisted that the September 11 attacks and a possible Nato military response would not upset plans to expand the alliance or endanger its peacekeeping missions in the Balkans.

But he stressed that the extra burden of fighting terror will require ‘‘more money, wisely spent’’.

‘‘It is not possible to have security and defence on the cheap and at the same time request more measures, more protection against new threats,’’ Lord Robertson said.

‘‘For Nato, the zero real growth mantra which many liked to apply in security and defence is an insufficient and, maybe, irresponsible answer to the security needs of the 21st century.’’

The US has criticised European allies for not investing enough in training and equipping its forces for new challenges, such as rapid deployment in crisis regions and peacekeeping missions.

‘‘Europeans can surely expect a tougher US stance on transatlantic burden-sharing,’’ Lord Robertson said. ‘‘Political solidarity is only part of the answer.’’

He did not comment on what immediate support the United States might request from its Nato allies in response to the attacks. But he said the alliance had a unique role to play in fighting terror.

‘‘For the moment, Nato is the best indeed the only game in town,’’ he said, arguing that the United Nations and the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe have different structure and functions.

In what he stressed were his personal views, Lord Robertson said it was important that the organisers of the attacks pay a ‘‘high price’’ for the carnage in New York and Washington, in which more than 6,000 people are believed dead.

‘‘They are not suicidal maniacs. They have spent years to build up elaborate networks. And it is these networks that the international community go after,’’ he said.

He also urged members of the alliance to support efforts to develop international law, build ties with Russia and other countries outside the alliance, and redouble efforts to stop the spread of weapons of mass destruction.