Big EU powers begin talks on Afghanistan

Reuters ^ | 10/19/2001

[Merovingian]

Big EU powers begin talks on Afghanistan

19/10/01 14:18 GHENT, Belgium (Reuters) - The leaders of Britain, France and Germany are meeting today to discuss the military strikes on Afghanistan before a full summit of European Union leaders.

The private talks on Friday among the EU's three biggest powers have irritated European Commission President Romano Prodi and leaders of some other member states who see the separate meeting as damaging to EU unity.

British Prime Minister Tony Blair, French President Jacques Chirac and Prime Minister Lionel Jospin and German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder were expected to discuss military cooperation in the fight against terrorism unleashed after last month's attacks on U.S. cities.

Britain has been Washington's closest military ally so far in the U.S.-led strikes against Afghanistan's ruling Taliban, who the United States accuse of sheltering Osama bin Laden, the dissident they say is behind the attacks.

A senior German official said earlier that the three leaders would discuss possible military contributions as well as the fight against terrorism and efforts to revive Middle East peace talks.

[Merovingian]

Hmmm...

[Martin Tell]

"Big EU Powers"? Isn't that an oxymoron? The frogs,krauts, etc. better hurry up or this war will be over before they can decide whether to "cooperate." I am pro-EU (mainly because I think it promotes business), but this endless jawing demonstrates why the Euro-Defense Force is really a bad idea.