EU toasts new unity over Iraq

By BRIAN WILLIAMS in Brussels

European Union President Greece yesterday hailed an emergency summit that put the onus squarely on Saddam Hussein to comply with weapons inspections as proof that it was again united.

In a tougher-than-expected final statement, the 15 EU leaders declared for the first time that war could be used as a last resort and warned Iraq that UN arms inspections could not go on indefinitely.

"We are united again," Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou declared.

"The message from this summit is loud and clear: Saddam Hussein must comply and Europe speaks with a united voice."

The 15 leaders went into the meeting deeply divided over the Iraq crisis. Despite satisfaction with at least papering over differences, they failed to agree on how much time Baghdad should be given to rid itself of suspected weapons of mass destruction.

A joint statement issued after the four-hour summit said: "War is not inevitable. Force should be used only as a last resort. It is for the Iraqi regime to end this crisis by complying with the demands of the Security Council.

"Iraq has a final opportunity to resolve the crisis peacefully."

Papandreou said the statement was a "positive signal" to the United States that a transatlantic war of words was also over about how to deal with Iraq if it did not comply with weapons inspections.

Anti-war Germany went along with the statement even though Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder has insisted Germany would not support or participate in military action even if the Security Council backed it.

French President Jacques Chirac told reporters: "The European mini-crisis has been overcome."

Diplomats said the EU's internal rifts could open again soon over the timing of any military action, with governments under fierce pressure from giant anti-war demonstrations.

Asked how much longer UN weapons inspections in Iraq could continue, UN Secretary General Kofi Annan said there was no fixed deadline.

"But at some stage the council may decide that we're just wasting our time and we should call a halt to the inspections," he added.

European Commission President Romano Prodi said: "We cannot forget the millions in the streets this weekend. So we came together to send a message to the world: Europe is united and its distinctive voice must be heard."

France, Germany and Belgium defused some transatlantic tension by lifting their month-long blockade of limited Nato measures to prepare to protect Turkey in case of war on Iraq.

Not all was sweetness and light at the summit. Britain and France continued to bicker over the need for and timing of a second UN resolution that would declare Iraq had failed to co-operate with the inspectors and faced serious consequences.

Chirac said only the arms inspectors could decide when the process should end, and France would veto any second UN resolution at this stage to authorise military action.

British Prime Minister Tony Blair said the issue was not a second resolution but the disarmament of Iraq.

- REUTERS

Herald feature: Iraq