Europe and America must stand united

The Times ^ | January 30, 2003 | Prime Ministers of Europe

[MadIvan]

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. Today they are under greater threat than ever.

The attacks of 11 September showed just how far terrorists — the enemies of our common values — are prepared to go to destroy them. Those outrages were an attack on all of us. In standing firm in defence of these principles, the governments and people of the United States and Europe have amply demonstrated the strength of their convictions. Today more than ever, the transatlantic bond is a guarantee of our freedom.

We in Europe have a relationship with the United States which has stood the test of time. 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. The transatlantic relationship must not become a casualty of the current Iraqi regime’s persistent attempts to threaten world security.

In today’s world, more than ever before, it is vital that we preserve that unity and cohesion. We know that success in the day-to-day battle against terrorism and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction demands unwavering determination and firm international cohesion on the part of all countries for whom freedom is precious.

The Iraqi regime and its weapons of mass destruction represent a clear threat to world security. This danger has been explicitly recognised by the United Nations. All of us are bound by Security Council Resolution 1441, which was adopted unanimously. We Europeans have since reiterated our backing for Resolution 1441, our wish to pursue the UN route and our support for the Security Council, at the Prague Nato Summit and the Copenhagen European Council.

In doing so, we sent a clear, firm and unequivocal message that we would rid the world of the danger posed by Saddam Hussein’s weapons of mass destruction. We must remain united in insisting that his regime is disarmed. The solidarity, cohesion and determination of the international community are our best hope of achieving this peacefully. Our strength lies in unity.

The combination of weapons of mass destruction and terrorism is a threat of incalculable consequences. It is one at which all of us should feel concerned. Resolution 1441 is Saddam Hussein’s last chance to disarm using peaceful means. The opportunity to avoid greater confrontation rests with him. Sadly this week the UN weapons inspectors have confirmed that his long-established pattern of deception, denial and non-compliance with UN Security Council resolutions is continuing.

Europe has no quarrel with the Iraqi people. Indeed, they are the first victims of Iraq’s current brutal regime. Our goal is to safeguard world peace and security by ensuring that this regime gives up its weapons of mass destruction. Our governments have a common responsibility to face this threat. Failure to do so would be nothing less than negligent to our own citizens and to the wider world.

The United Nations Charter charges the Security Council with the task of preserving international peace and security. To do so, the Security Council must maintain its credibility by ensuring full compliance with its resolutions. 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.

SIGNED,

José María Aznar, Spain
José Manuel Durão Barroso, Portugal
Silvio Berlusconi, Italy
Tony Blair, United Kingdom
Václav Havel, Czech Republic
Peter Medgyessy, Hungary
Leszek Miller, Poland
Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Denmark

[L`enn]

We did not have Russia for Gulf War part 1. Did not seem to matter. The best we can ever hope for is China to sit these out. That leaves only Germany and maybe France as the only countries with different attitudes that in GWI. Big freaking deal. Onward!

[ellery]

WOW!!!

[jeepster]

Understood...

[americanbychoice]

If I was the Administration, I would tell Germany thatwe just don't care how they will vote on iraq. I would tell them , and use the media, that Germany has already decided before any evidence was presented not to support us. They now say that if the U.S. had any evidence, it should have been providid immediately to the UN. In the same paragraph they admit that their own Bundes Nachrichtendienst has evidence as well. Sounds strange, doesn't it?
I want Germany isolated in the International community because of their actions and rhetoric.
With Friends like them, we don't need enemies.
Keep going strong.................from a Master race reject :-)

[jeepster]

This war will be won w/ or w/o Germany and France on our side..... Trying to presuade them doesn't matter by now. They have already made up their mind as to which side they'll b on.

[MadIvan]

They will likely shift to our side at the last minute. I suspect that this lack of faith will be remembered. It should be.

Regards, Ivan

[You Dirty Rats]

Bet that landed in Paris and Berlin with a thud.

[MadIvan]

Bet that landed in Paris and Berlin with a thud.

I hope it bloody well hurt in the process. I am fed up with France and Germany. Anything that wipes the smug grins off of Chirac's and Schroeder's faces, is bound to make me smile.

Regards, Ivan

[CobaltBlue]

Way cool. You can't imagine how much we appreciate this. Thank you.

[HanneyBean]

"I have always had a special affection for Denmark since I read about the Germans decreeing that all Jews would wear the yellow Star of David--and the King pinned one on".


Is that true? That's incredibly cool. One of my favorite WWII stories from Europe is what Queen Elizabeth (the lately departed Queen mother) said during the London blitz. People urged the Royal family to leave and take up residence elsewhere for their personal safety. To paraphrase, she said "The childen won't leave without me, I won't leave without the King, and the King won't leave".
Class act from a classy royal.

[wimpycat]

Wow, it looks like you have a fan club! LOL!

[MadIvan]

Wow, it looks like you have a fan club! LOL!

I won't let it go to my head. After all, darling Happygal would smack me if it did. ;)

Regards, Ivan

[MadIvan]

Supposedly King Christian X of Denmark put on the Star of David and said, "I am my country's first Jew".

One other thing that is notable about him is that he was the first continental monarch to visit a Synogogue.

Regards, Ivan

[wimpycat]

The names bear repeating:

José María Aznar, Spain
José Manuel Durão Barroso, Portugal
Silvio Berlusconi, Italy
Tony Blair, United Kingdom
Václav Havel, Czech Republic
Peter Medgyessy, Hungary
Leszek Miller, Poland
Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Denmark


Spain gets continually overlooked, and I always try to remind people that in the aftermath of 9/11, Spain was the first European country (after the UK, and they aren't really European anyway) to offer full and unequivocal support for the US. Even post 9/11, France hemmed and hawed and so did Germany.

Also, Spain has been rounding up terrorists right and left. I don't blame them for not extraditing anyone to the U.S. if they face the death penalty. That's a sovereignty issue that I respect. But they have been rounding them up like gangbusters...literally.

Also, Juan Carlos, King of Spain, was the first head of state to visit the new President Bush in the White House.

[Poohbah]

Even post 9/11, France hemmed and hawed and so did Germany.

I like to think that the German sailors who hoisted the American flag at the truck of the Lütjens and showed the banner "We Stand By You" to the USS Churchill, and the German partners in my company who called 9/11 "an attack on all of civilization" are far more representative of Germany than the current bunch of twits in the Bundestag.

[wimpycat]

Well yes, quite. I was speaking of the governments, not of the actual people.

[HanneyBean]

You've really got to admire leaders like that. It's real inspirational.
Thanks for keeping us posted on what's going on on your side of the Atlantic. I always enjoy reading your posts.

[You Dirty Rats]

This unusual (unprecedented?) public stand by the eight Prime Ministers in support of the United States and in unmistakeable opposition to Germany and France should, I would think, make Schroeder even less popular than he already is in Germany. Good luck with the elections in Lower Saxony and Hesse, Gerhard.

[LibKill]

Thanks, FRiend.

[MadIvan]

What the left should be loosening their bowels over is the fact that someone of such impeccable human rights credentials as Havel signed this too. So let's see, Vaclev Havel is in favour of intervention in Iraq, but the Democrats aren't?

Regards, Ivan