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Bush Will Review US Position in Balkans, Italian FM Says
The new Bush administration in the United States will "review the position" in the Balkans but the US "will never close up into isolation" and ties with Europe and Italy will remain strong, Italian Foreign Minister Lamberto Dini said in a newspaper interview published Sunday.
Dini noted that Bush naturally assumed stronger positions during the election campaign but that the US will continue in the 50-year tradition of continuity between the US and Europe.
He said the new administration will undoubtedly bring changes, but stressed that its initial statements were marked by "great caution and great continuity."
In the Balkans, North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is already preparing to cut its presence in Bosnia but nothing has been decided for Kosovo, Dini noted.
On the Middle East, Dini recalled the assurances of Secretary of State-designate Colin Powell that US efforts will not let up in the search for peace.
Dini also commented on the depleted-uranium issue, saying that "we are proceeding with tests in order to find out the exact degree of danger and we would like these tests to be taken into account before deciding any new military intervention."
On the economic front, Dini said "more moderate growth" in the US should lessen the attractions of the country for foreign investors and help the euro consolidate its recovery.
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