Chirac attack raises enlargement fears

Date: 20/02/03

By Dana Spinant

THE war of words between France and future member states over their pro-US stance on Iraq could derail EU enlargement, diplomats in Brussels fear.

"If this continues, enlargement is going to be put at risk," a Greek diplomat told this newspaper.

Although "confident" for the time being that the accession of ten countries in 2004 and another two in 2007 would stay on track, he stressed that the situation might change if the row were allowed to continue.

"I don't think that anyone can afford this," he added.

French diplomats painted an even bleaker picture, however.

They suggested that, if President Jacques Chirac submitted the accession treaty for approval to a public referendum, rather than only the parliament, a "bad surprise" would result.

Chirac strongly criticised the future member states at Monday's emergency summit on Iraq in Brussels, describing their declarations of solidarity with the US as "childish" and suggesting they should "shut up".

"What Chirac said reflects exactly the debate taking place now in France, it was not a spontaneous outburst by the president," one diplomat explained.

"The French feel they cannot really trust the newcomers," he added.

Officials in Brussels acknowledge that the president's remarks have raised a crucial question: how will the Union's foreign policy be affected by enlargement?

"The EU is entering a period of deep changes concerning foreign affairs, and some traditional alliances will be affected," a Council official said.

A foreign minister for one of the accession countries told European Voice that he could foresee the Union's fledgling common foreign and security policy shrinking back further after enlargement, at least for a short period.

"The new countries will find it difficult in the beginning to accept the straitjacket of an external policy which does not allow them to have their say, especially if it concerns the US.

"However, the Union will benefit [from enlargement] on other fronts, through economic growth and cultural diversity: you can't win on all fronts," the minister added.

But Chirac's is not a solitary voice in the EU. German diplomats have also complained about the candidates' perceived lack of loyalty to the EU, suggesting it is wrong for them to claim handouts from Brussels then back Washington.

Romano Prodi, the European Commission president, admitted on Monday that he was "very, very disappointed" by the behaviour of the future member states.

"This shows they haven't understood the nature of the European Union, which is also a political union, not only an economic one," Prodi told this newspaper.

However, the candidates say they are being put in an unfair position.

"We have the feeling we have to choose between EU and NATO and between Europe and the United States, instead of having to choose between the regime of Saddam Hussein and the Euro-Atlantic community," said Ion Iliescu, the Romanian president.

Adrian Nastase, prime minister of Romania which, along with Bulgaria was the target of the harshest attack by Chirac, insisted: "Mr Chirac does not have a problem with us, but with the United States."

A Greek diplomat suggested that UK premier Tony Blair may have worsened the split between France and the candidates with his decision to send a letter to the leaders of the future member states soon after the summit, in which he congratulated them for "their courage and leadership" in supporting America.

The war of words between France and future Member States over their pro-US stance on Iraq could derail EU enlargement, diplomats in Brussels fear.