BERLIN, Nov. 14 (UPI) -- Germany has scaled back its calls for a European Union military headquarters, easing British and NATO fears, the London Independent said Friday.
The directive from German Chancellor Gerhard Schroder was seen to alleviate fears by Britain and NATO such an organization would duplicate and eventually undermine the NATO alliance, the newspaper said.
However, Germany also warned of the inevitability of an inner core in Europe if an expanded EU of 25 countries was unable to take decisions, and appealed for a deal next month on a draft European constitution.
Germany and France want to form an EU military planning center, but Berlin is now willing to accept a small unit, described as a "nucleus." For major operations, command and control would pass to national headquarters, normally in France, Britain or Germany.
