The leaders of Britain, Spain, Italy, Portugal, Hungary, Poland, Denmark and the Czech Republic made a remarkable public plea for unity in Europe in opposing Saddam Hussein. (another hat tip to Beezle for the link). This public statement makes it very clear that France and Germany are those acting bilaterally and the US’s opinion is actually shared by the majority of Europe. Here are some highlights from the article.
The words reflect the anger of some countries at the misgivings voiced by President Chirac and Gerhard Schröder and at what they consider to be their presumption to speak for Europe.In what appears to be a reminder to M Chirac and Herr Schröder, they say that “we Europeans” had reiterated backing for Resolution 1441 and the wish to pursue the UN route at both the Prague Nato summit and the Copenhagen European Council. In doing so, they sent an unequivocal message that they would rid the world of the danger posed by Saddam’s deadly weapons.
I found the statement of these leaders elsewhere in the Times Online. It clearly spells out why they agree with President Bush’s policy toward Iraq. If you don’t have time to read the entire statement, here are the speaking points.
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.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.
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.
As an American citizen, I am thankful to see a clear and strong message of international support from many European nations. It remains to be seen if Germany and France will continue to go it alone or support the international coalition against Saddam. I suspect Chirac and Schröder will use Powell’s February 5th UN briefing as a way of saving face and rejoining the international coalition. We shall see.