Europe’s cracks threaten to grow

The problem of Iraq confronts European Union leaders with their toughest choice. Five Member States and three candidate countries signed a declaration on 30 January 2003 calling for unity with the US in forcing Iraq to give up weapons of mass destruction. With sceptics led by France and Germany, there is the prospect of a deep rift within Europe, the outcome of which could affect EU foreign policy and integration for years to come.