THE EU: The EU foreign ministers yesterday papered over their disagreements on how bellicose a stance to take on Iraq. After a brief debate in Brussels, they agreed a common statement which expressed support for the UN weapons inspectors and called on the Iraqi authorities to comply immediately with their requests for information.
The statement was greeted in Brussels as a minor diplomatic triumph after the disarray of last week when France and Germany were publicly dissociating themselves from the more pro-US line taken by Britain.
The agreed statement called for "full and immediate compliance" by Iraq with UN resolution 1441, which it described as "an unambiguous message that the Iraqi government has a final opportunity to resolve the crisis peacefully".
Mr George Papandreou, the Greek Foreign Minister, who chaired the meeting, said: "We have a unified position and this is an important message."
The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Cowen, declared himself satisfied with the council's conclusions and the support expressed for working through the UN. The statement reaffirmed the role of the Security Council and resolution 1441, adding "the responsibility of the UNSC in maintaining international peace and security must be respected".
Mr Cowen said the UN weapons inspectors should be given more time.
But the statement does contain a note of urgency, which was what the British delegation sought: "The Iraqi authorities must, as an imperative, provide the inspectors, without delay, with all additional and complete information on questions raised by the inspectors so far." The British Foreign Secretary, Mr Jack Straw, said he fully supported the EU statement but the report from Dr Hans Blix showed President Saddam Hussein was "practising concealment. There is clear evidence now that he has made this a charade of an inspection, co-operating on process but not on substance."
Asked about the possibility of President Bush launching unilateral action, Mr Cowen said he would be well advised to consider that the UN framework offered the widest possible legitimacy.
Mr Cowen was questioned about the landing of aircraft carrying US troops and weapons at Shannon. He said the Government had reviewed procedures with the US to ensure the legal requirements were being complied with. "We are reassuring ourselves that procedures are being followed."
Asked about whether the US would be allowed to continue to land aircraft if it launched unilateral action, Mr Cowen said that would be a matter for the Dáil.