‘America ready to go it alone over Iraq’ says US ambassador

Date: 13/02/03

By Martin Banks

THE United States remains ready to take military action against Iraq without seeking a further UN resolution to sanction the use of force, says Rockwell Schnabel, America's ambassador to the European Union.

While hoping that Monday's EU summit will result in a unified approach to the Iraq crisis, he told European Voice that the US would, if necessary, proceed without UN backing to ensure Saddam Hussein disarms.

UN Security Council 1441 warns of "serious consequences" if Iraq fails to cooperate with UN weapons inspectors. Most EU countries believe a second, tougher resolution is needed to sanction the use of force.

But Schnabel, who held talks with MEPs in Strasbourg on Tuesday, confirmed he believes the terms of 1441 are broad enough to encompass a military response.

"Europeans are clearly divided over this and, of course, they have a right to disagree with the US. But this is not the end of the world and, if we feel it is necessary to move without them, we shall," he declared. "I hope that EU governments will realise that Saddam will take advantage of division among member states and that a united approach is the best way forward."

Schnabel, who admitted that the current "rough period" in EU-US relations had taken their toll on him - "I feel as though I have aged 25 years in the last couple of months," he said - dismissed Franco-German proposals to give the weapons inspectors more time.

"I do not believe there is anything to be gained in doing this."

Referring to opinion polls showing that most Europeans oppose war, Schnabel suggested they might have read differently if the 11 September terror attacks had occurred in the EU.

"If it had happened in, say Berlin or Paris, I think there would have been a major shift in public opinion."

Schnabel's view that the US does not require explicit UN authority to attack Iraq were denounced by Elmar Brok, chairman of the Parliament's foreign affairs committee.

"I find it hard to conceive of any circumstances where military action should be taken without first obtaining a second resolution," said the German MEP.

Meanwhile, leaders of the main political groups in the Parliament were united in urging EU leaders to tackle the EU's "shambolic" foreign policy when they meet in Brussels on Monday. Leading the call was Hans-Gert Pöttering, leader of the European People's Party group, who described the divisions over Iraq as the "biggest threat" to transatlantic relations for years.

He said it would be "desirable" to have a second UN resolution before any US-led military action, adding: "We must maintain pressure on Saddam and I hope the Greek presidency will do everything in its power to achieve a common approach."

However, Pöttering was scathing about the approach taken by the German government in opposing military action, describing it as "irresponsible", "anti-European and anti-American".

Meanwhile, more than 100 MEPs and parliamentarians from member states have signed a petition calling for a peaceful resolution to the Iraq crisis.

The petition was launched by Francis Wurtz, leader of the left-wing GUE group.

The United States remains ready to take military action against Iraq without seeking a further UN resolution to sanction the use of force, says Rockwell Schnabel, America's ambassador to the European Union.