Pence to Europe: US stands by NATO but allies must share burden

[Right_in_Virginia]

Pence to Europe: US stands by NATO but allies must share burden
Stars & Stripes, Feb 18, 2017, John Vandiver

MUNICH — Vice President Mike Pence delivered a tough-love message to Europe on Saturday, saying the United States stands behind NATO, yet U.S. allies’ failure to carry their share of the security burden will no longer be tolerated and threatens to damage the 68-year-old military alliance.

Pence, on his first trip to Europe as vice president to attend a major security conference in Munich, told German Chancellor Angela Merkel that U.S. military spending is set to rise and America’s enhanced military presence in eastern Europe will continue, but Europe must contribute more.

“Europe’s defense requires your commitment as much as ours,” Pence said. “Let me be clear on this point, the president of the United States expects our allies to keep their word. For most, that means the time has come to do more.”

Inside the assembly hall of the Bayerischer Hof hotel, the applause was sparse as Pence laid bare President Donald Trump’s insistence that money matters when it comes to strong defense. This position threatens to put the U.S. at odds with Germany, the main economic power in Europe, and one of the nations that dedicates a small share of its budget to defense.


More:  http://www.stripes.com/news/europe/pence-to-europe-us-stands-by-nato-but-allies-must-share-burden-1.454606

[Right_in_Virginia]

Germany's had an economic banner year, there's no excuse for them not paying their fair share.

[EC]

Never was. Yet they never have. A while back they were excusing it on the grounds that "it looked bad, what with the war and all." I do think that after 70 years an excuse should be retired.