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From owner-imap@chumbly.math.missouri.edu Wed Jan 22 14:00:09 2003
Date: Tue, 21 Jan 2003 19:08:29 -0600 (CST)
From: MichaelP <papadop@peak.org>
Subject: Smoke n’mirrors:EU Says No to Iraq War Without U.N. Approval
Article: 150372
To: undisclosed-recipients:;

http://news.findlaw.com/international/s/20030121/iraqeudc.html

EU Says No to Iraq War Without U.N. Approval

Reuters, Tuesday 21 January 2003

ATHENS (Reuters)—The European Union rejected a war on Iraq without the backing of the United Nations Tuesday and said weapons inspectors must have time to do their job.

Prime Minister Costas Simitis of Greece, EU president until the end of June, said a war would harm peace and stability in the Middle East.

Speaking after a meeting with visiting Romanian Prime Minister Adrian Nastase, Simitis said:

We both estimate that peace (in Iraq) must be preserved. We both believe a conflict will result in delaying many developments and is a conflict that will not benefit stability and peace in the region.

Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou, who plans to lead an EU mission to the Middle East at the end of January in a bid to avert war, said there was no need for a conflict if Iraq cooperated with weapons inspectors.

Papandreou said a report the weapons inspectors were to deliver to the U.N. Security Council Monday on how Iraq was cooperating was not a deadline on whether to go to war. United Nations 1441 resolution doesn’t say there should be a decision on January 27 when the report is submitted, Papandreou told reporters, referring to a resolution on Iraq passed in November. So, in theory and in practice, there could be more time. Inspectors could continue their work for some more time.

Top United Nations weapons inspector Mohamed ElBaradei, who Monday briefed Papandreou about the Iraqi search, told Reuters on his visit to Athens that quite a few more months were needed to complete the search for any Iraqi weapons of mass destruction.

Papandreou said the EU would only back a war if the United Nations decide clearly and unanimously to take military measures, because they have incontestable proof and great concerns.

In Brussels Tuesday French Foreign Minister Dominique de Villepin said Paris aimed to mobilize the European Union to avert a war.

Rejecting mounting U.S. pressure for an early decision on military action, Villepin said: It is important that Europe speak on this issue with a single voice. We are mobilized, we believe war can be avoided.