 | You were expecting something else? |
BRUSSELS - The European Union accused Iran and Syria on Friday of destabilising the Middle East just as the United States is contemplating whether to talk to Tehran and Damascus in an effort to end violence in Iraq.
In a significant hardening of the 25-nation bloc’s tone, EU leaders charged that Iran was harming security in the region with its nuclear programme and threats towards Israel. “The European Council expresses its concern about the negative impact of Iranian policies on stability and security in the Middle East,” a summit statement said. It also condemned Iran’s questioning of the Nazi Holocaust against the Jews.
They also told Syria to stop interfering in Lebanon if it wanted normal relations with the international community.“Syria must end all interference in Lebanese internal affairs and actively engage in the stabilisation of Lebanon and the region,” the leaders said.
| Rather obvious that they don't, isn't it? |
The EU declaration on Iran reflected disillusion after three years of fruitless negotiations between EuropeÂ’s three leading powers -- Britain, France and Germany -- and Iran on the Islamic RepublicÂ’s nuclear programme, which the West suspects is aimed at developing atomic weapons. Talks collapsed in October when Iran rejected U.N. requests demands that it suspend uranium enrichment activities that it says are for civilian energy purposes.
The statement on Lebanon reflected a victory for the hard line advocated by French President Jacques Chirac over countries such as Italy and Germany that support dialogue with Damascus. In remarks to the summit distributed to journalists, Chirac condemned what he called “a destabilisation offensive” against the elected government of Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Siniora.
| Chirac will next take on the Danish herring industry in a real battle of equals. |
Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi noted differences within the EU over how to deal with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. “If Europe were united, it would be stronger in the world,” he told reporters.
| If my aunt had balls she'd be my uncle. |
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