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Politics : DON'T START THE WAR -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: BubbaFred who wrote (8037)	2/14/2003 1:10:16 AM
From: Karen Lawrence	Respond to of 25898

Iraq: peaceful disarmament or military action HANS-GERT POETTERING - Leader of the Christian Democrats in the European Parliament warned against the danger of re-creating "axes" in Europe and urged all Europeans to act within the Community framework. (Photo: European Parliament) EUOBSERVER / STRASBOURG – The EU 15 will attempt to reach a common position on Iraq during Monday’s extraordinary summit convened by the Greek Presidency. Both Council and Commission have stated that if Saddam does not disarm peacefully, military action cannot be ruled out. "Armed intervention, even through the UN, can only be a last resort," Commission President Romano Prodi said – a statement later echoed by the Greek deputy foreign minister Tassos Giannitsis. Despite an EU "common position" reached during the General Affairs Council on 27 January, five of the EU states and three from the acceding states signed a declaration a few days later, backing a US military action in Iraq. This move was seen as a split within the EU and as a snub to France and Germany, which are stressing the need for a peaceful solution. Yet Monday’s summit will follow an important event – the presentation of the new weapons inspectors’ report on Friday 14 February to the UN Security Council. The tone of this report will without doubt affect the EU’s discussion on Monday. Greek presidency hopes to shape common position During a debate on Iraq in the European Parliament on Wednesday, the Greek Presidency said that Iraq should fully respect and implement the UN Security Council resolutions, respect international legal order and human rights, and consolidate peace, stability and security in the region. "If Iraq delays in complying with the inspectors, it will bear responsibility for the developments, and so far there has been indifference," Greek deputy foreign affairs minister Tassos Giannitsis said. Although the Greek Presidency "does not take a decision for the EU 15," as Mr Giannitsis put it, it will do its "utmost to shape a common position on Monday." This extraordinary summit will be followed by a meeting of the EU 15 plus the 13 candidate countries on Tuesday, where heads of states and governments are set to attend. It will stress the EU’s call for Iraq to disarm, urge Iraq to cooperate with the weapons inspectors, give trust to the weapons inspectors, and urge Iraq to comply with the UN resolution 1441. Danger of re-creating "axes" in Europe The lack of a common EU voice in foreign policy was criticised by the MEPs present for the debate and the need to maintain unity of voice with the 10 acceding states was highlighted. The Christian Democrat leader Hans-Gert Poettering warned the House against the danger of re-creating "axes" in Europe and urged all Europeans to act within the Community framework. "If we see Europe's unity as a counterweight to the United States of America then we are building Europe on a basis of sand," he said. The Europe of United Left and the Greens, on the other hand, opposed any military intervention in Iraq, as this would provoke a serious humanitarian disaster. euobserver.com