EU Warns Iraq It Faces 'Last Chance'

[Rob-TheStormChaser]

European leaders tried to mend their bitter dispute over Iraq on Monday by calling for more time for U.N. inspectors to disarm Iraq, but warning Baghdad it faced one "last chance" to disarm peacefully.

The declaration appeared to continue the division that has split the European Union, with France and Germany opposing any imminent military action against Baghdad.

The United States and Britain, its chief ally in the EU, are pushing for swift action to disarm Iraq, claiming that Saddam Hussein has no intention of complying peacefully.

France and Germany, who oppose war, appeared to emerge in a strong position Monday night after the EU statement backed more time for the U.N. weapon inspectors, without giving a deadline.

British Prime Minister Tony Blair said he was convinced that Iraq was already in breach of U.N. resolutions to disarm, but other EU nations appeared to need time to reach the same decision.

Blair also appeared to be backing away from a push for a second U.N. resolution to endorse military action against Iraq. He said the earlier resolution demanding Iraq disarm made a convincing case for tough action.

The leaders agreed that Iraq must disarm, but said "war is not inevitable." The declaration also recognized the Franco-German drive for a peaceful solution, calling war "a last resort."

Seeking not only to mend rifts in the European Union, but also with the United States, the leaders also gave the American military buildup in the Persian Gulf credit for forcing Saddam to work with U.N. weapons inspectors.

Earlier the summit appeared heading for a rupture after France declared it would block any early move to war.

With the split undermining EU unity and its ability to speak with a single voice, Britain and France offered starkly different views, with London calling for a swift deadline for action and Paris insisting on more time to peacefully disarm Iraq.

President Jacques Chirac said France would oppose any effort to draft a new U.N. resolution authorizing war at this time. France, Germany and others say Iraq can be disarmed peacefully and must be given time.

The United States says it may seek a second U.N. resolution authorizing force against Iraq, but it is not indispensable.

European parliamentary leaders, who met with U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan before he entered the summit, said Annan stressed, however, that he did not want the weapons inspections to go on too long.

The split had threatened the EU's ability to forge a foreign and security policy. France and others want the EU to be a major power that can counter the United States, but most European nations are reluctant to give up control of their foreign policy, especially direct ties with Washington.

France, which has long wanted to regain global power by leading a united Europe, has led the opposition to Washington's drive for a war on Iraq. Chirac has claimed that he speaks for the people of Europe, over the heads of some of their own governments, which back Washington.

Italy spoke for the EU states that don't want to trade their close ties with the United States. "Our policy is based on two pillars: the cohesion of the European Union and a strong relationship with the United States," Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini said.

Opponents of war believe their position was strengthened when millions of people marched in cities around the world Saturday to oppose war. Still, the United States and Britain, the two allies that have committed massive forces to the Gulf, show no sign of backing off.

[chadtm80]

How many "last chances" has this guy gotten?

[Rob-TheStormChaser]

I dunno...seems like this is like the 4th one this year alone.

[cycloneye]

As JQ says Hummmm Tony Blair is changing slightly to those who want more time.

[streetsoldier]

If we look back, we had the same problem during Desert Shield/Desert Storm from the UN (The EU was not yet a reality), calls for "negotiation", etc...the Coalition struck anyway, and the rest is history.

An interesting aside from Kuwait; while other stock markets are plunging over talk of war, theirs is booming! Reason? The removal of Saddam Hussein will finally stabilize the region and commercial relations will step up considerably with Iraq's Arab neighbors. This from the floor of Kuwaiti Exchange, courtesy of FoxNews.

[chadtm80]

Tony Blair is changing slightly to those who want more time

Thats becuase his people protesting against him.... If it would of been there Buildings and citizens that got blew up, i think they would think differently as well

[coriolis]

This is so stupid! More time for what! More time to delay, hem and haw, duck and weave, make excuses, obsfucate, and basically buy time until we get tired of the whole thing. More time won't do anything. If Hussein really wanted to disarm he could round up all the prohibited weapons and hand them over in a weeks time! Can't those buttheads see that?! He won't respond to negotiations. It's a game, and he's playing us like a violin. Give him a week or else we'll see you in Bahgdad!

[chadtm80]

This is so stupid

Couldnt be any stupider

[VanceWxMan]

Yes lets give this mad man YET ANOTHER CHANCE!! Sure Sadamm we will give you MORE time so that you can BUILD more weapons to use against us! This is freaking ridiculous!!! While the stupid French and Germans play patty cake with the madman he gets to prepare more and more!

OFF THIS MORON!

Aaron

[mf_dolphin]

I have a solution....

:30: :30: :30: :30:

[Derek Ortt]

if France opposes us, lets teach them that we are not to be messed around with. They'll surrender anyways. Prehaps the French would like 5 more years of saying "Heil Hitler" to realize just how much they need the Americans and their foregin policy. If they still don't like that, well, then, take it to the French. Needless to say, my patience with them is running out

[chadtm80]

I have a solution....

:30: :30: :30: :30:

LMAO LMAO LMAO LMAOLMAO LMAOLMAO LMAOLMAO LMAOLMAO LMAOLMAO LMAOLMAO LMAOLMAO LMAOLMAO LMAOLMAO LMAO

[Rob-TheStormChaser]

Smiley vs Saddam.....hmmmmm...I'll pick ol round yellow head any day!