PORTUGUESE OPINION POLL AGAINST NATO AS NATO SECRETARY GENERAL LORD ROBERTSON CONSIDERS RUSSIA “AN ASSOCIATE"

As the Portuguese Parliament debates the question of NATO actions in the Balkans and any connection with Balkans Syndrome, three more Belgian soldiers who served in the Balkans have developed different forms of cancer. Three other Balkans veterans from Belgium have opened a process against NATO for “involuntary intoxication”. In the light of these findings and following a hostile campaign against NATO in the Portuguese press, the first opinion poll has been concluded and its results are presented. While 55.7% of the poll states that Portugal should participate in UNO missions abroad, only 22.2% favour intervention in non-UNO missions (like NATO, for instance) with 62.3% against. However, it should be stated that 69% favour Portugal’s continuation as a member of NATO. 30.1% want an immediate withdrawal of Portuguese troops from the Balkans and a further 49.9% favour withdrawal if it is proved that there is a connection between NATO’s uranium and/or plutonium weapons and cancer. 66.5% think that the official explanations given about this case are unconvincing. Such reports would make interesting reading for those in eastern European countries who are contemplating becoming NATO members, countries such as Lithuania, for instance, whose Prime Minister has just presented his country«’s request for membership to NATO. The question is, whether these countries have any idea about what they are doing. Their troops will be used in the most dangerous missions and will be stationed in the most polluted places. If and when they become ill, NATO will not want to know, will deny everything and will even lie about the evidence on its official website. Membership of NATO these days is like living in a nightmare. These countries would be well advised to invest heavily in their health services before joining NATO. Speaking about Lithuania’s request, Lord Robertson, the NATO Secretary-General pointed out that NATO did not deem this a threat to Russia and that NATO considers Russia “as an associate, not as an enemy”. This must be very comforting to President Vladimir Putin, but then again, can anyone really believe a word that NATO says any more?

TIMOTHY BANCROFT-HINCHEY PRAVDA.RU LISBON