SIR - Mr James Greenwood may very well be correct when he predicts that confusion over American commitments in Europe could damage Nato and America's standing there, but we should remember that European voices are not the only ones that matter [American duty, Feedback, 20 March 2001].

 When American voters read of plans to create a European Rapid Reaction Force independent of Nato, they naturally ask what American soldiers are doing risking their lives in the Balkans in the first place.

 There is a lesson for Britain here. In times of crisis, Americans tend to ask blunt questions about who is with them, and who is not. And it doesn't help very much when Tony Blair produces over-sophisticated arguments about taking Britain into the European force to save it from falling under the control of those who would harm Nato.

 Britain cannot run with the hare and run with the hounds. The French are outsmarting Blair in this case by calculating that no matter how arguments over the running of the European force turn out, the mere fact that a debate is taking place over Britain's loyalties must inevitably damage the relationship between Britain and the US.

 Perhaps the time has come for Tony Blair to reassure Americans, and declare openly that although he will work to prevent a rift between Europe and the US, if it comes to a choice, in the end we will always stand by the allies on whom Britain has been able to depend for the past century.