EU security policy 'must be backed-up by military power'

Online IE ^ | June 21 2003 | Ann Cahill/The Irish Examiner

[knighthawk]

AN EU security policy must be backed-up by military power to be credible, Foreign Affairs Minister Brian Cowen said yesterday after the EU leaders discussed the issue at their summit in Greece. A 16-page document produced by the EU's foreign policy chief Javier Solana set out a broad outline of a common security policy that was

welcomed by the Taoiseach and the other EU heads of government at the three day meeting.

The EU heads requested the preliminary study in a desperate bid to avoid another open rift between member states similar to that over the Iraq war when some sided with the US policy of regime change by force.

The document outlines the problems of modern-day terrorism, sets out the steps taken so far to deal with it, lists Europe's strengths and sets the tone for a common EU policy on dealing with the threats.

It proposes a formula considerably softer than the US's pre-emptive strike position but does say that military force can be considered as a last resort and with UN approval.

It does not envisage a European army but would expand the current policy of individual states contributing military under EU leadership as is happening in the Congo operation at present.

Mr Cowan said the document took a very holistic view of security, emphasising conflict prevention. The best method for avoiding conflict ever devised was trade and economic agreements, he said.

"On the military side, it's a question of having a military capability and capacity to ensure you have a credibility and to be used when the international order so decides," said Mr Cowan.

Dealing with terrorism may require a mixture of intelligence, political, military and other means.

"In failed states, military instruments may be needed to restore order ," said the paper.

The EU spends 160 billion on defence and should be able to sustain several operations simultaneously to counter the terrorist threats.

The summit gave the go-ahead to Mr Solana, to complete the policy document by December when it will be discussed and is expected to be adopted by the leaders.

[knighthawk]

In the end they will just ask the US to do the job.

[knighthawk]

Europe-list

If people want on or off this list, please let me know.

[Mr. Bird]

Kiss NATO goodbye. I'd like to see a realignment, with EU holdouts joining the U.S. and the U.S. severing all mutual defense pacts with EU nations.

[facedown]

It does not envisage a European army but would expand the current policy of individual states contributing military under EU leadership as is happening in the Congo operation at present.

Yeah, that's working really well.

Uruguayan United Nations soldiers man a machine gun, Friday, June 20, 2003 as they patrol the streets of Bunia, Congo on the back of a truck. Unknown assailants have abducted two unarmed U.N. military observers after attacking their residence in northeastern Congolese city of Beni. Beni is 155 kilometers (96 miles) southwest of Bunia where fighting among tribal militia has killed 500 people, mainly civilians, since the beginning of May.