A R C H I V E S
Madinat al-Muslimeen Islamic Message Board
| EU AGREEMENT OVER IRAQ |
|---|
| Halima |
| 02/18/03 at 07:26:32 |
| EU AGREEMENT OVER IRAQ - Sky News European Union leaders have agreed that a war could be launched to disarm Saddam Hussein - but only as a "last resort". Prime Minister Tony Blair set out the case against Iraq at a summit in Brussels and won an agreement that Saddam has a "final opportunity". The EU leaders affirmed solidarity with the United States in a strongly-worded joint declaration that said the onus is now on Iraq to disarm. "Baghdad should have no illusions," it said. "The Iraqi regime alone will be responsible for the consequences if it continues to flout the will of the international community." 'Final opportunity' But while the declaration also warned that weapons inspections could not continue indefinitely, a phrase that "time is rapidly running out" was dropped after German objections. Mr Blair did not win a timetable for Iraqi compliance. But he insisted that this is "the final opportunity to disarm peacefully". Tony Blair in Brussels French President Jacques Chirac highlighted the deep divisions between the EU members even before the leaders met, saying France would block any fresh UN resolution using its Security Council veto. "There is no need for a second resolution today, which France would have no choice but to oppose," Mr Chirac said. Frustration Mr Blair has stressed Britain's preference for a second UN resolution authorising military action which would help keep Labour MPs and the public on side. He later attempted to play down the split stressing "points of unity" but his frustration with the French was clear. He was irritated by continued French insistence on giving the UN weapons inspectors much more time to complete their work, saying the inspectors were not a detective agency. "It is important to make clear that the time that you need is the time to make a judgment as to whether Saddam Hussein is co-operating or not. Full, complete and unconditional co-operation," Mr Blair said. Last Updated: 09:16 UK, Tuesday February 18, 2003 |
Madinat al-Muslimeen Islamic Message Board |