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| Europe |
| Europe and America must stand united |
| 2003-01-30 |
| This letter, signed by the leaders of seven European countries appeared in the London Times. Thank you. THE real bond between the United States and Europe is the values we share: democracy, individual freedom, human rights and the Rule of Law. These values crossed the Atlantic with those who sailed from Europe to help create the USA. Today they are under greater threat than ever. The attacks of 11 September showed just how far terrorists — the enemies of our common values — are prepared to go to destroy them. Those outrages were an attack on all of us. In standing firm in defence of these principles, the governments and people of the United States and Europe have amply demonstrated the strength of their convictions. Today more than ever, the transatlantic bond is a guarantee of our freedom. We in Europe have a relationship with the United States which has stood the test of time. Thanks in large part to American bravery, generosity and far-sightedness, Europe was set free from the two forms of tyranny that devastated our continent in the 20th century: Nazism and Communism. Thanks, too, to the continued cooperation between Europe and the United States we have managed to guarantee peace and freedom on our continent. The transatlantic relationship must not become a casualty of the current Iraqi regime’s persistent attempts to threaten world security. In today’s world, more than ever before, it is vital that we preserve that unity and cohesion. We know that success in the day-to-day battle against terrorism and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction demands unwavering determination and firm international cohesion on the part of all countries for whom freedom is precious. The Iraqi regime and its weapons of mass destruction represent a clear threat to world security. This danger has been explicitly recognised by the United Nations. All of us are bound by Security Council Resolution 1441, which was adopted unanimously. We Europeans have since reiterated our backing for Resolution 1441, our wish to pursue the UN route and our support for the Security Council, at the Prague Nato Summit and the Copenhagen European Council. In doing so, we sent a clear, firm and unequivocal message that we would rid the world of the danger posed by Saddam Hussein’s weapons of mass destruction. We must remain united in insisting that his regime is disarmed. The solidarity, cohesion and determination of the international community are our best hope of achieving this peacefully. Our strength lies in unity. The combination of weapons of mass destruction and terrorism is a threat of incalculable consequences. It is one at which all of us should feel concerned. Resolution 1441 is Saddam Hussein’s last chance to disarm using peaceful means. The opportunity to avoid greater confrontation rests with him. Sadly this week the UN weapons inspectors have confirmed that his long-established pattern of deception, denial and non-compliance with UN Security Council resolutions is continuing. Europe has no quarrel with the Iraqi people. Indeed, they are the first victims of Iraq’s current brutal regime. Our goal is to safeguard world peace and security by ensuring that this regime gives up its weapons of mass destruction. Our governments have a common responsibility to face this threat. Failure to do so would be nothing less than negligent to our own citizens and to the wider world. The United Nations Charter charges the Security Council with the task of preserving international peace and security. To do so, the Security Council must maintain its credibility by ensuring full compliance with its resolutions. We cannot allow a dictator to systematically violate those Resolutions. If they are not complied with, the Security Council will lose its credibility and world peace will suffer as a result. We are confident that the Security Council will face up to its responsibilities. José MarÃÂa Aznar, Spain José Manuel Durão Barroso, Portugal Silvio Berlusconi, Italy Tony Blair, United Kingdom Václav Havel, Czech Republic Peter Medgyessy, Hungary Leszek Miller, Poland Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Denmark |
| Posted by:Steve |
| #8 Rw --- As for the Dutch, open their seacocks. As for the French and Germans, they better start counting Mosques (I'm not kidding). |
| Posted by: Alaska Paul 2003-01-30 19:23:01 |
| #7 Too add, I'm surprised the Dutch haven't signed. |
| Posted by: Rw 2003-01-30 18:00:53 |
| #6 Prudent and diplomatic or not, the Axis of Weasels and their sycophants don't like it one damn bit - the EU bureaucracy has been squawking all day and the European Parliament huffed and puffed and passed (narrowly) a resolution scolding the Eight "Vassals" for the letter. What I thought when I saw it was that Tony & company really spat a nice juicy one into the metaphorical eye of Schroeder & Chirac, it's hard to see how a statement at this level of international discourse could be more direct and explicit. Matter of fact, Steven den Beste over at USS Clueless thinks that this letter is a sign that a new bloc is forming within the EU to counteract the aforesaid Axis, and I wouldn't be surprised if he's right. |
| Posted by: Joe 2003-01-30 17:52:26 |
| #5 It is true that the the document is prudent and diplomatic. It was written by polite and refined Europeans, not by us "in-your-face" and results-oriented 'Mericans. But it is a great show of support for us and is much appreciated by this 'Merican. |
| Posted by: Alaska Paul 2003-01-30 12:44:34 |
| #4 It was time. I am European, a Permanent Resident in the USA and I have been ashamed by the French and German words and behavior. The document is good but still it is prudent and diplomatic, it speaks softly, as if words could kill or poison the speakers. The idea behind the words remains the wrong one: the United Nations must be at the center of international relationships, not the values, not the facts. Yes, I can't ask them to speak as Oriana Fallaci does, but it would be nice (and the dangers for peace and democracy would disappear in thin air instantly if we were strongly united...).Thank you and have a nice day. |
| Posted by: Poitiers 2003-01-30 10:16:20 |
| #3 and for Saddam, Uday, Qusay: Head's UP! |
| Posted by: Frank G 2003-01-30 09:04:36 |
| #2 That's eight leaders. I need to have my coffee before I post. |
| Posted by: Steve 2003-01-30 08:07:04 |
| #1 Rw --- As for the Dutch, open their seacocks. As for the French and Germans, they better start counting Mosques (I'm not kidding). |
| Posted by: Alaska Paul 1/30/2003 7:23:01 PM |