LONDON -- For Europe and for Japan the maintenance of good relations with the United States is vital. The U.S. commitments to NATO and to the defense of Japan are so important that Europe and Japan may often have to make concessions to U.S. views with which they have good reasons to disagree. The U.S. remains the only global power and its views must carry a great deal of weight. However, the U.S. for its part needs allies and friends and cannot totally ignore the views and concerns of its partners.

Unfortunately, President George W. Bush has given the impression recently that in concentrating on promoting what he sees as the national interests of the United States he is prepared to back-track on commitments made by earlier U.S. administrations and does not intend to accept new commitments even if the U.S. is isolated on the issues involved.

Bush would no doubt argue that each case has to be treated on its merits and assessed on how far U.S. national interests are involved. But recent U.S. decisions in international forums suggest that the U.S. government is not prepared to make any concessions if the interests of any U.S. lobby group might be even marginally jeopardized. Nation states inevitably give priority to their own national interests, but they would be wise to try to adopt a long-term view that takes account of the interests and concerns of their allies. Politicians, of course, tend to focus on the short term up to the next election, but good officials should advise against taking decisions on the basis of short-term political benefits.