Transatlantic rift 'endangers world'

New think tank aims to heal transatlantic rift

The world is facing a "perilous moment" because of strain between Europe and America, according to former Conservative home secretary Michael Howard.

His comments came as he launched a new pressure group dedicated to championing relations between the two sides of the Atlantic.

Trade and defence differences are creating tension says Howard

Patrons of Atlantic Partnership include Henry Kissinger, former prime minister John Major and prominent European politicians from the French Gaullist and German left-of-centre Social Democrat parties.

Mr Howard told BBC News Online how the partnership will lobby governments and public opinion with speeches, articles and interviews at times of tension between Washington and European capitals.

Risk to allies

Mr Howard, the MP for Folkestone and Hythe, said there were "fundamental forces" at work which risked pushing the allies apart.

"We want to alert people to the risks the people of the whole world would face if this great partnership were to degenerate into rivalry and perhaps even hostility."

The launch of the Atlantic Partnership comes on the eve of Prime Minister Tony Blair's first visit to Washington since Republican President George W Bush entered the White House.

Source of tension

Mr Howard cited the proposed 60,000-strong European rapid reaction force as one of the greatest sources of tension.

Conservatives have joined key military figures in expressing fears that the force could weaken Nato, by siphoning off resources and duplicating military roles.

The UK government insists the force will strengthen traditional ties with the US.

This is quite a perilous moment

Michael Howard

Many European countries are also uneasy about America's proposed National Missile Defence Programme, which has been dubbed "Son of Star Wars".

"Trade and defence are the most serious issues... I think this is quite a perilous moment," said Mr Howard.

"The glue of the Cold War has now dissolved but they can still work together in a number of very fruitful ways."

Atlantic Partnership patron: Henry Kissinger

Transatlantic co-operation could still help solve many of the world's problems, added Mr Howard.

"We must alert people to these dangers and create a climate of opinion in which the decision makers recognise that when they come to decisions that affect this partnership they should take into account its importance.

"It's been one of the greatest forces for good in the world at least for the last 50 years and it can continue to be for the next 50 but only if we all work hard at it."

Britain has its own "pivotal" role to play in the relationship, according to the former home secretary, by staying within the EU but not becoming part of a single European state.