From: Michael M. Butler (mmb@spies.com)
Date: Thu Jan 30 2003 - 12:25:03 MST
My friend Dan L writes:
===
This is interesting.
Eight leaders of European countries call for unity between Europe and
America in dealing with Iraq, in a full-page editorial in today's London
Times.
The countries are Spain, Portugal, Italy, Britain, Czech Republic, Hungary,
Poland and Denmark.
Keep in mind that their combined economic growth last year was more than
twice that of France and Germany. Perhaps this is Rummie's "New Europe."
Although Rummy's an idiot shooting off his mouth like that.
The point being: we can't group the Europeans all together into one
anti-American, pro-Franco-German alliance. Much of them are closer to US
policy than they are to Germany and France. Schroder is very unpopular in
Germany; Chirac was elected, we should remember, because the only other
option was LePen, a nazi. It's interesting to note that mainland Europa has
no real strong, clear leadership right now. Could be that its Blair, of all
people.
It isn't a given that Europe will unite behind Germany and France. Far from
it.
Just an observation.
===
EUROPE AND AMERICA MUST STAND UNITED
Opinion
The London Times
January 30, 2003
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,482-559907,00.html
THE real bond between the United States and Europe is the values we share:
democracy, individual freedom, human rights and the Rule of Law. These
values crossed the Atlantic with those who sailed from Europe to help create
the USA. Today they are under greater threat than ever.
The attacks of 11 September showed just how far terrorists ‹ the enemies of
our common values ‹ are prepared to go to destroy them. Those outrages were
an attack on all of us. In standing firm in defence of these principles, the
governments and people of the United States and Europe have amply
demonstrated the strength of their convictions. Today more than ever, the
transatlantic bond is a guarantee of our freedom.
We in Europe have a relationship with the United States which has stood the
test of time. Thanks in large part to American bravery, generosity and
far-sightedness, Europe was set free from the two forms of tyranny that
devastated our continent in the 20th century: Nazism and Communism. Thanks,
too, to the continued cooperation between Europe and the United States we
have managed to guarantee peace and freedom on our continent. The
transatlantic relationship must not become a casualty of the current Iraqi
regime¹s persistent attempts to threaten world security.
In today¹s world, more than ever before, it is vital that we preserve that
unity and cohesion. We know that success in the day-to-day battle against
terrorism and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction demands
unwavering determination and firm international cohesion on the part of all
countries for whom freedom is precious.
The Iraqi regime and its weapons of mass destruction represent a clear
threat to world security. This danger has been explicitly recognised by the
United Nations. All of us are bound by Security Council Resolution 1441,
which was adopted unanimously. We Europeans have since reiterated our
backing for Resolution 1441, our wish to pursue the UN route and our support
for the Security Council, at the Prague Nato Summit and the Copenhagen
European Council.
In doing so, we sent a clear, firm and unequivocal message that we would rid
the world of the danger posed by Saddam Hussein¹s weapons of mass
destruction. We must remain united in insisting that his regime is disarmed.
The solidarity, cohesion and determination of the international community
are our best hope of achieving this peacefully. Our strength lies in unity.
The combination of weapons of mass destruction and terrorism is a threat of
incalculable consequences. It is one at which all of us should feel
concerned. Resolution 1441 is Saddam Hussein¹s last chance to disarm using
peaceful means. The opportunity to avoid greater confrontation rests with
him. Sadly this week the UN weapons inspectors have confirmed that his
long-established pattern of deception, denial and non-compliance with UN
Security Council resolutions is continuing.
Europe has no quarrel with the Iraqi people. Indeed, they are the first
victims of Iraq¹s current brutal regime. Our goal is to safeguard world
peace and security by ensuring that this regime gives up its weapons of mass
destruction. Our governments have a common responsibility to face this
threat. Failure to do so would be nothing less than negligent to our own
citizens and to the wider world.
The United Nations Charter charges the Security Council with the task of
preserving international peace and security. To do so, the Security Council
must maintain its credibility by ensuring full compliance with its
resolutions. We cannot allow a dictator to systematically violate those
Resolutions. If they are not complied with, the Security Council will lose
its credibility and world peace will suffer as a result.
We are confident that the Security Council will face up to its
responsibilities.
(signed)
José María Aznar, Spain
José Manuel Durão Barroso, Portugal
Silvio Berlusconi, Italy
Tony Blair, United Kingdom
Václav Havel, Czech Republic
Peter Medgyessy, Hungary
Leszek Miller, Poland
Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Denmark
This archive was generated by hypermail 2.1.5 : Sun Feb 02 2003 - 21:26:03 MST