He said that Tony Blair is one of President Bush’s most important allies, but their "special relationship” may not survive because the new EU constitution "has been driven by people who really want the union to be a rival to the United States, not a partner to it.”

He explained how European countries that are our allies but also members of the EU, may struggle to assist the U.S. and stay true to their own constitution. "That could have effects domestically, within the European countries as they confront a very real problem from these ‘Islamofascists’ just as we will be needing their help in the worldwide fight against that same phenomenon,” he said.

He added that the new commitment from our European allies in NATO to help train the Iraqi army was important because, "It’s the first time that any institution the French and the Germans have been associated with, let alone have a veto in, has actually decided to help share the load in Iraq.

"It’s a very positive step, and hopefully ... it will do something to counter the arguments that ‘only if the French and only if the Germans’ agree with our activities, will we be seen to be moral and legitimate in the kinds of things we do for our own security...”

Editor's note: