EU set to foot “massive” bill for post-war Iraq

Date: 09/01/03

By David Cronin

THE European Commission is drawing up a contingency plan for dealing with the humanitarian crisis expected to erupt if the US opts to topple Saddam Hussein's regime by force.

The move comes as several Western powers announced military preparations for a new Gulf War, fuelling speculation that an attack on Iraq will take place in the near future.

The EU's work on a post-Saddam scenario gives new ammunition to those claiming a clear division of labour has emerged during recent conflicts, with the US leading the war and the Union paying the reconstruction bill.

Commission spokesman Michael Curtis confirmed that an emergency blueprint is being devised by its humanitarian office, ECHO. "As the world's largest humanitarian donor, we have to do contingency planning for all sorts of situations," he said.

"We have to look at what might happen and how to react to it. The humanitarian situation in Iraq is already rather precarious so it would be irresponsible not to start planning."

Although Curtis said he could not comment on what budget projections ECHO is making for an Iraqi emergency, he added: "We hope that there would be a certain level of generosity from those who would be involved in the conflict. The humanitarian aid needs and - one day - the reconstruction needs will be massive."

Romano Prodi, the Commission's president, is due to discuss Iraq with Tony Blair, Britain's prime minister, in London today (9 January).

A source close to Prodi said he had not yet worked out any suggestions about what contribution the EU could make to repairing the damage inflicted on the Gulf state by a fresh war. "It has to be one step at a time," the source added. "Everybody is trying their best to avoid such a situation arising."

Meanwhile, Geoff Hoon, Britain's defence secretary, held talks with the Turkish government yesterday. This was the latest attempt to convince Turkey to allow NATO allies to use its military bases - something its premier Abdullah Gül is reluctant to countenance. The US has sent battle strategists to a base in Qatar, where 50,000 of its troops are already stationed.

In Paris on Tuesday Jacques Chirac, the French president, warned his country's military to be prepared for a war.

Greece's EU presidency this week signalled its desire to preserve the united front among member states on Baghdad that developed around the time the UN Security Council insisted weapons inspectors must be allowed unfettered access to the country in November. "The core issue will be to keep the partners together," said a Greek diplomat.

Athens' work seemed to receive a boost on Tuesday when Blair - America's main European ally - called on the Bush administration to heed the international community's view on major foreign policy topics.

Senior EU diplomats are due to be told first-hand how the search for weapons of mass destruction is proceeding when the head of the UN inspection team Hans Blix meets them in Brussels on 16 January.

Javier Solana, the EU's foreign policy chief, will be "trying very hard" to convince the Union's governments that a common stance is required, according to his spokeswoman. Cristina Gallach said the EU now has a unique opportunity to make its voice heard in the UN Security Council as four of its largest states are represented on it. Germany and Spain began their two-year stint on the 15-country council on 1 January, joining its permanent members Britain and France.

"We don't want unilateral action," said Gallach. "We want the UN deciding on Iraq and we will continue working within that framework."

Observers of EU affairs have noted how a transatlantic division of labour has developed during recent conflicts, with the US leading military operations and the Union footing much of the bill for post-war rebuilding. The EU has been the largest single donor to Kosovo, for example, providing more than €800 million to the devastated area in 1999-2002.

The European Commission is drawing up a contingency plan for dealing with the humanitarian crisis expected to erupt if the US opts to topple Saddam Hussein's regime by force.