American and British officials said the questioning of incoming ships about their weapons would undermine NATO unity and violate longstanding policies of secrecy.

But there remained the delicate matter of NATO unity.

Regrettably, the Administration has all but dropped its efforts on the arms embargo in the name of NATO unity.

"He believes he can realign his ethnic problems in one week and that NATO unity will crack in that same period," Commodore Wilby said.

But with NATO unity at stake, bolder moves are called for.

A willingness to talk will also serve to maintain NATO unity.

Consequently, despite an outward show of NATO unity, the split over Iraq still persisted and tensions in interstate relations within the alliance were not resolved.

They also accused Denmark of undermining NATO unity.

"He believes he can realign his ethnic problems in one week and that NATO unity will crack in that same period," he said of the nonstop refugee flow.

"Once again, NATO unity is proving completely empty."