EU to Open Baghdad Training Office; Officials Hail Unprecedented Unity Over Iraq

BRUSSELS, Belgium (AP) - The European Union agreed Monday to open an office in Baghdad to coordinate the training of Iraqi judges, prosecutors and prison guards in a step hailed as a sign of unprecedented unity over Iraq within the 25-nation bloc. For now, the training of some 700 Iraqis will be held in EU nations or elsewhere in the Middle East but could eventually take place inside Iraq if the security situation improves there, EU foreign ministers announced.

EU officials said the Baghdad office - the first EU representation in Iraq since the war - should open within months and that it reflected Europe's willingness to take on a more active rebuilding role following major divisions over the U.S.-led war.

"We are for the first time really united on Iraq," said EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana. "That without any doubt is going to be very important to the meetings we are going to have ... with President Bush."

Bush said in a foreign policy speech in Brussels on Monday that it was time for the trans-Atlantic alliance to move beyond disputes over Iraq. He will meet with EU leaders at a summit here on Tuesday.

British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw said both America and Europe were actively seeking to repair the rift over Iraq.

"It's been very clear since President Bush's re-election in early November of his determination greatly to improve relations with the whole of the European Union," Straw said. "I would like to say that all the indications are that European Union countries are reciprocating."

The EU will make available $3 million to provide security for the Baghdad office, which will recruit Iraqis. The office itself will be provided by Britain and have a staff of about five.

"We are prepared to provide training for police staff ... to provide training in management and judicial investigations," said Luxembourg Foreign Minister Jean Asselborn, who chaired the meeting. "The EU is committed to working closely with the transitional government."

The EU ministers said in a statement they would "examine the possibility of training within Iraq, in light of the future evolution of the security situation and the availability of adequate infrastructures."

The EU mission foresees Germany training police officials in the nearby United Arab Emirates, where it is already training military officers under a separate NATO training mission. Other EU countries such as France are expected to train Iraqi officials at home.

France and Germany were the most vocal EU opponents to the U.S.-led war in Iraq and clashed with Britain, Italy and Poland, among others, who strongly backed Washington. The Iraq war left the EU deeply divided for months.

EU External Relations Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner said the EU was also looking into other aid projects in the fields of trade and energy, and providing expertise to Iraqi authorities in the drafting of their new constitution.

That, and the feel of W's boot planted firmly in their asses.

2 posted on 02/21/2005 7:06:20 PM PST by Mad_Tom_Rackham (This just in from CBS: "There is no bias at CBS")

Y'know what? I like your reason better than mine.

3 posted on 02/21/2005 7:24:07 PM PST by Pharmboy ("Rebellion to tyrants is obedience to God")

But your reason is more logical though.

The European Union agreed Monday to open an office in Baghdad to coordinate the training of Iraqi judges... -Constant Brand, Associated Press writer

Oh hell, they are going to show them how judges can subvert the democratic will of the people.

Everyone wants to jump on the band wagon now. The world knows who has been doing the heavy lifting and with a few exceptions it isn't the eu

6 posted on 02/21/2005 8:13:49 PM PST by paul51 (11 September 2001 - Never forget)

AP reports a headline: "... Officials Hail Unprecedented Unity Over Iraq"

Did hell freeze over and I missed it ..??

Good grief - what will Kerry/Kennedy do now about their unilateral whining ..??

Guess the good old boys found out Bush is not the dope they were led to believe he was (by the USA democrats).

7 posted on 02/21/2005 8:24:38 PM PST by CyberAnt (Pres. Bush: "Self-government relies, in the end, on the governing of the self.")

They sense the heavy lifting is done and are eager to be there with the Iraqi people as they win their country.

8 posted on 02/21/2005 9:00:05 PM PST by elhombrelibre (Liberalism is proof that intelligent people can ignore as much as the ignorant.)

Class Schedule:

9am-1pm Corruption 101
1pm-2pm Lunch
2pm-3pm Hating America
3pm-5pm Making Socialism Work
5pm-6pm Dhimmitude
6pm-7pm Virtues of Hairy Female Armpits
7pm-8pm Dinner

9 posted on 02/21/2005 9:35:21 PM PST by thoughtomator (If Islam is a religion, so is Liberal!)

10 posted on 02/22/2005 6:38:38 AM PST by mac_truck (Aide toi et dieu l’aidera)

"...expertise to Iraqi authorities in the drafting of their new constitution"

Maybe the EU should pass the one they have before they offer "expertise" to the Iraqi government. Do we really want socialists ruining the Iraqi constitution? heh

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