There may not be a lot that I would agree with Michael Howard on, but I do agree with what he says about the vital need for Europe to maintain strong ties with the United States (Strong Euro ties with US vital, says Howard, 21 February, 2001).

We share a common history going back to the dawn of time, and despite all our faults - which are grave and many - western civilisation, once it faces up properly to the challenge of achieving sustainability on a finite planet, is still our best hope for the future. 

Because of the particularly strong ties of language culture and history between Britain and America, it falls to Britain to make sure that Europe and America stay together - a task we can hope to achieve only with ourselves firmly IN Europe. 

Then, separating America and Europe would mean tearing Britain apart, which, for the life of us, we must not allow to happen.

The spectre of Europe and America ever becoming military rivals must be banished. 

We need each other's help and co-operation as much now, in meeting the central challenge of sustainable development in a free and fair society, as we did when facing Nazi Germany.