|
Euro-Med stutters on 'terrorism'
A summit of EU nations and their Mediterranean neighbours is said to be struggling to agree a definition of terrorism and how to combat it. Spain and the UK, who are chairing the Barcelona meeting, want to announce an agreed position when it ends on Monday. But correspondents say Arab delegates object to a proposed definition that would allow no exceptions for those fighting occupation. Only two non-EU leaders from Turkey and the Palestinian Authority are present. Delegates at the two-day meeting are being urged to agree to a declaration on a common "code of conduct on countering terrorism". The draft states "all people have the right to self-determination" but adds that " terrorist attacks cannot be justified or legitimised by any cause or grievance". However Arab nations want to amend the text to distinguish between terrorism and the right to EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana said he was hopeful an agreement would be reached. The Euro-Med meeting marks a decade of co-operation between the neighbouring countries. It brings together the 25 EU members plus Turkey, Israel, Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, the Palestinian Authority, Jordan, Syria, and Lebanon. Apart from Turkey and the Palestinian Authority, leaders from Arab and North African states as well as Israel, were unable to attend the summit and sent lower level delegations instead. Posted by: Steve 2005-11-28 |
| http://www.rantburg.com/poparticle.php?ID=136054 |