Belgium Criticized Britain for Lack of EU Policy on Iraq

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Monday, September 09, 2002

Belgium Criticized Britain for Lack of EU Policy on Iraq

Louis Michel, Belgium's foreign minister, had blamed Britain's support of the United States for the lack of a single European Union (EU) voice on Iraq.

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Louis Michel, Belgium's foreign minister, had blamed Britain's support of the United States for the lack of a single European Union (EU) voice on Iraq.

"If it is impossible today within the European Union to have one, single, undivided voice to say no to (US President George) Bush, it's in large part because Britain through (British Prime Minister) Tony Blair gives unquestioned, unilateral support to theUnited States," he told Belgian television's weekly news magazine program Mise au Point on Sunday.

Blair said earlier he and Bush had "total determination" after weekend talks to deal with Iraq but wanted the broadest international support. So far, most EU countries are opposed to unilateral US military action.

Michel has criticized any military action against Iraq and reiterated Sunday his country would not support any US attack if the Americans cannot prove Baghdad has weapons of mass destruction.

Michel also repeated Belgium's position over military action against Iraq would only be permissible if the UN Security Council authorized it after all diplomatic efforts had been exhausted.

"I would like to see some proof. I agree with those who say that there is no question of supporting an attack if the Security Council has not approved it and if....we do not have the belief there is a danger," he told the TV program.

The foreign minister also said he had met Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister Tariq Aziz during the Earth Summit in Johannesburg and had put to him EU and specifically Belgium demands, such as allowing UN weapons inspectors back into Iraq.

He had explained to Aziz that refusing the return of weapons inspectors would put EU member states in an "uncomfortable" position, Michel said.

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