Posted on 08/20/2004 12:33:38 PM PDT by knighthawk
BRUSSELS, Belgium - European governments should put divisions over Iraq behind them and join in helping the United States restore order there, the European Union's incoming chief executive said in an interview published Friday.
"Some people in Europe may think that it is good that things are going badly for the U.S." in Iraq, European Commission President-designate Jose Manuel Barroso said in the interview with five European newspapers. "I really think that is an irrational and a bad policy."
As Portugal's prime minister, Barroso supported the U.S.-led invasion, hosting a prewar summit with the leaders of the United States, Britain and Spain in the Azores Islands. The country has about 120 police officers stationed near Nasiriyah in southern Iraq.
France and Germany opposed the war and have refused to send troops to help the U.S.-led coalition. Spain recently pulled its forces out of Iraq following the election of a new government.
Divisions over Iraq cast a shadow over efforts last June to choose the next commission president, who runs the EU's 24,000-strong civil service.
Britain and Italy rejected an early front-runner - Belgian Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt - partly over his strident opposition to the Iraq war. France rejected a British candidate but agreed to Barroso, despite his stance on Iraq.
At the time, French President Jacques Chirac called him a "man of dialogue" who also spoke excellent French, among several other languages.
In the interview, Barroso said Europeans should "leave behind our disagreements on Iraq" and "give a positive, strong contribution to the Iraqi problem."
He said he wanted to see a "good, close, cooperative" relationship with the United States.
"It is in our interest to work with them, but it is also in the interest of the world," he said. But, he added, "I don't like to see the EU in a secondary position. Partnership needs respect and that works both ways."
Aside from Iraq, trans-Atlantic ties have been strained over issues ranging from U.S. steel tariffs to European aircraft subsidies to trade in genetically modified crops.
In the interview, Barroso reiterated his desire to put reforming the continent's sluggish economy at the top of his agenda, but warned it may take longer than planned to improve competitiveness.
He conceded most of the reforms needed - in labor and welfare laws, taxes, education and research spending - were outside the purview of Brussels. But he said the commission could still play a role in "helping" government find the right policies and setting a framework.
The European Commission, which oversees a 24,000-strong civil service, proposes EU laws and monitors compliance with them in the 25 member states. It also represents the bloc in world trade talks and has broad power in areas of antitrust and the functioning of the internal market.
The new 25-member executive, slated to take office Nov. 1, held its first meeting Friday, described as an informal "team-building" session to go over organizational issues and a code of conduct.
If people want on or off this list, please let me know.
France and Germany hate this guy, so he must be OK.
re: "Some people in Europe may think that it is good that things are going badly for the U.S." in Iraq"
Things are getting better every day. In fact, it's never been as bad as the media has strained to present it, but it's getting better day after day.
We will know things are going really well when EU countries start offering to help.
You mean there is a voice of reason in the EU. Kind of Shocking. How did Chirac let this guy through.
Amazing that the AP actually reported this. Generally Old Media just ignores the stories that are positive to the US or the Bush presidency.
Old Media is going to look as silly as Old Europe if they don't shape up. LOL
Thank you.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.