NATO will today approve the British Defence Secretary, Mr George Robertson, as its next secretary-general after a delay caused by irritation among three smaller members of the alliance, NATO sources have said. Mr Robertson (53), who was nominated by Britain on Friday, had been expected to get approval from the 19 members of NATO on Monday, but diplomats said ambassadors from Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg sought more time to consult their governments.
"Robertson is the only candidate. The three allies who asked for time to consult were just registering their irritation at being steamrollered by the big boys," a NATO diplomat said yesterday.
Mr Robertson impressed allied governments with his robust stance and strong media presence during the Kosovo campaign and has the backing of the US, France, Italy and Spain.
A Dutch spokesman yesterday dismissed media reports that the three countries had ganged up to block Mr Robertson's appointment to succeed Mr Javier Solana of Spain, who is moving in October to become the EU's first foreign policy "czar".
Diplomats said Belgium was the most irritated because it had taken soundings on behalf of the former Prime Minister Mr JeanLuc Dehaene, before Mr Robertson became a late entrant to the race last week, but had failed to find broad support.
The Netherlands and Luxembourg were unhappy at the speed of the process and what they saw as a "stitch-up" by the US, Britain, France and Germany.
The initial favourite for the job, the German Defence Minister, Mr Rudolf Scharping, said yesterday he was sure Mr Robertson would make an excellent secretary-general.
Mr Scharping, speaking in Oslo, said Germany would back Mr Robertson for the post, confirming he did not want to be considered. He said he wanted to continue with the task of reforming the German armed forces.
A spokesman for the Dutch Foreign Ministry said reporters had wrongly interpreted the Netherlands' position.
"It is a question of our internal decision-making procedures. They have not been completed. Therefore we could not say `yes' to Robertson, even informally," the spokesman said.
Mr Robertson's departure would trigger what Downing Street has called a "mini-shuffle" in Cabinet and a by-election in his Hamilton South constituency. The Scottish Secretary, Dr John Reid, could move to replace Mr Robertson at the Ministry of Defence. Dr Reid could in turn be replaced by his deputy, Mr Brian Wilson.
A NATO spokesman said no meeting of the alliance had been scheduled for yesterday but that the regular weekly meeting would take place today. A full council meeting is needed to confirm Mr Robertson's appointment.