told the new york times of several occasions last year that the president had said privately he wanted to withdraw from nato a move let's face it that would destroy the alliance wouldn't it do you think reports like that shedding doubt on america's america's commitment to damage the alliance they do that corrosive. well what i would say to you is that it's perfectly natural for all kinds of issues to be discussed and debated in the white house as elsewhere but what we see is the reality and the practicality of u.s. support to nato going to mark or said europe can no longer rely on the united states and must take destiny into its own hands so they're not convinced so that the whole idea is to spread confidence in nato and it's some solidity it's not happening is it well you know uncle or merkel on the other european leaders step up