 European Union foreign ministers are in full finger-wagging mode and will warn Serbia that its EU aspirations could be in doubt, but will not set any deadline for it to hand over top war crimes suspects to the UN tribunal. | "This time, you're really gonna get it. Or not. We'll see." |
The ministers will endorse a report by EU enlargement commissioner Olli Rehn noting that Serbia is not fully cooperating with the UN war crimes court in The Hague, and say this could delay Belgrade's rapprochement talks with the EU. They will examine whether the negotiations "could be disrupted when full cooperation is not forthcoming as we require," said German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier as he arrived for the meeting in Brussels. "There is no ultimatum on the agenda for the moment," he noted. Luxembourg Foreign Minister Jean Asselborn added: "I don't think that an ultimatum is the right path to take."| How very...European of you. |
During their talks in Brussels, the ministers will also thrash out how best to keep the Palestinian government afloat in the face of Israeli sanctions. As they gathered, the European Commission, the EU's executive arm, announced that it was prepared to provide 120 million euros (142 million dollars) to the Palestinians to help them stock up on ammo pay government salaries and energy suppliers. "Today, I will annonce (to EU foreign ministers) a very substantial package of assistance to meet the basic needs" of the Palestinians, EU external relations commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner said ahead of the meeting. The EU is the biggest aid donor to the Palestinians, but it has faced a quandry since the militant group Hamas won last month's elections, as the organisation figures on its terrorist blacklist. Israel's sanctions, announced after the Hamas victory, deprive the Palestinians of about 60 million dollars a month in taxes and duties, and the EU wants to help the impoverished Palestinian territories meet the shortfall.The ministers are not expected to take a clear position on Hamas until the new government is formed and its position on recognising Israel, renouncing violence and working peacefully for a two-state solution is made clear.| I prescribe getting Europe's collective ears checked for wax buildup. Obviously they can't hear very well right now. |
In a busy day of talks, the ministers will also take stock of Iran's nuclear ambitions just a week ahead of a key meeting of the board of the US International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). | five gets you seven that they make it all the way through the "My esteemed colleagues'" and the "Your Excellencies'" and then break for lunch and 'consultations'. |
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