It is not enough to say never again. Kosovo exposes with cruel clarity the huge gulf in western Europe between puffed-up pretension and grim reality. It was only a few months ago that the European Union proclaimed it would create a partnership of equals with the US in Nato.
The alliance's new strategic concept, to be unveiled at today's Washington summit, was supposed to declare Europe a fully-paid up member of the international defence community. Britain, France and Germany would stand ready to put out the fires in their own backyard.
Now look at what's happening in Kosovo. There are British Harriers and German Tornadoes in the skies over Belgrade. And there are French, even a few Belgian, troops in Macedonia. But the political purpose of these forces counts for infinitely more than any military capability. Once again, the US is fighting Europe's war.
The air campaign depends entirely on American fighters and cruise missiles, on Washington's command and communications facilities, and on its intelligence input. Take those assets away and no amount of moral outrage in London, Paris and Berlin would halt Mr Milosevic's terror. As for ground forces, Europe's leaders cannot whisper a word until Mr Clinton is ready to send in the marines.
But wait, I hear it said in London and Paris, these inadequacies explain precisely why Europe must get on with building its own distinctive defence identity. And the EU intends very soon to appoint its own high representative on foreign and security policy. Gosh. And how much more will these nations spend to update and reorganise their woefully inadequate defence capabilities? Ah, well, that's a question best not asked. Nothing must threaten the Maastricht treaty rules on fiscal deficits.