Home>>World
Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Tuesday, February 18, 2003

EU Summit Ends with Joint Statement

European Union (EU) leaders said Monday UN weapons inspections in Iraq could not continue indefinitely without cooperation, but force should only be used as a last resort.


PRINT DISCUSSION CHINESE SEND TO FRIEND


European Union (EU) leaders said Monday UN weapons inspections in Iraq could not continue indefinitely without cooperation, but force should only be used as a last resort.

In a draft statement prepared for their emergency summit in Brussels on Monday, the leaders said the US-led military buildup around Iraq had forced Baghdad to readmit inspectors and this pressure would "remain essential to achieve the full cooperation we seek."

The statement was drawn up by diplomats from 15 EU member stateand was subject to approval by their leaders, who agreed to the summit to heal deep rifts over Iraq.

The draft reflected a compromised position for the bloc. "War is not inevitable," it said. "Force should only be used as a last resort. It is for the Iraqi regime to end this crisis by complyingwith the demands of the (UN) Security Council."

"We reiterate our full support for the ongoing work of the UN inspectors. However, inspections cannot continue indefinitely in the absence of full Iraqi cooperation."

While there was broad agreement at the summit to give the weapons inspectors more time, the EU was split on how long to waitbefore saying Iraqi President Saddam Hussein had failed to comply with the UN Resolution 1441.


Questions?Comments? Click here
    Advanced






EU Commissioner Said Settlement of Iraqi Crisis Depends on Baghdad

EU Calls for Giving More Time to UN Inspectors in Iraq

Leaders of All 15 EU Members to Meet Monday on Iraq





 


Spring festival vs.Christmas in the eyes of Chinese youth ( 12 Messages)

Saddam Says Iraq Ready to "Defeat" US Troops ( 48 Messages)

What's Behind US Action Against Iraq? ( 9 Messages)

Why US Congress Grants Bush War Authority ( 31 Messages)

China Supports Joint Declaration by France, Germany, Russia on Iraq ( 2 Messages)

Embarrassment Caused by Inter-linked Plagiarism ( 7 Messages)



Copyright by People's Daily Online, all rights reserved