News Analysis: EU Strengthens Intervention on Kosovo Crisis 　　We have noticed that the EU members play a more important role in the Kosovo crisis and sometimes show their divergence with the United States. 　　For example, all of the NATO members of the EU have approved the decision of using force against Yugoslavia, but some countries, such as Greece and Italy, keep reservation on the "air strike" without the authorization of the UN Security Council. The EU also opposed strengthening sanction against Yugoslavia for its method to deal with the Kosovo crisis. 　　In order to push the crisis forward to a peaceful solution, the EU nations have adopted a series of key measures. For instance, under the diplomatic mediation of the EU nations, represented by Britain and France, the two sides of the Kosovo conflicts and the United States agreed to hold peace talks in the French town of Rambouillet. 　　Why does the EU actively participate in the mediation work of the Kosovo crisis? There are three reasons. 　　First, the launch of the Euro and the establishment of the European Monetary Union has greatly elevated the EU's global political and economic status, and strengthened its confidence in political integration. Many European leaders have noticed that only to realize political and defense integration, can the economic integration have a strong base, and make the EU become an important polar in the current multi-polar world. 　　Thus, France, Britain and Germany take the same stand toward the Kosovo issue, which is the first time in history. 　　Second, the geographic position of Kosovo and its complicated national contradictions pose a serious threat to Europe. Once the peace talks fail, the military conflicts may expand to other Balkan countries, and huge numbers of refugees will affect the economic and political stability of the European nations. 　　In addition, once Kosovo achieves independence, another Islamic state will appear with the exception of Bosnia, which may bring unstable factors to Europe. This is what the EU members do not want to see. 　　Third, the NATO is mapping out its new post Cold War strategy. France, Germany and Italy oppose the US proposal of reforming the NATO. France and Britain want to provide another "convincing model", which is different from the United States'. 　　To sum up, the EU's strengthened intervention in the Kosovo crisis is to contend with the United States for the leadership over European affairs. Indepth 1999-02-15 Page6 Full Story in Chinese