The United States defence secretary, William Cohen, has called on European countries to strengthen their defence capabilities so that they can play a bigger role within NATO.

In an article in the International Herald Tribune Mr Cohen says that when cloud cover obscured targets in Yugoslavia, it was mostly American aircraft that had the technology to operate successfully.

Mr Cohen says European nations should consider jointly obtaining the command, control and communications equipment, logistical support and transport aircraft that will be needed to mount military missions in the next century. He says Europe must also recognise that a credible military force requires strategic investment, reallocation of resources, regular upgrading of equipment, research and development, and restructuring to generate funds for new priorities.