Full reconciliation on Iraq ‘unlikely’ at mini-summit

Date:18/09/03

THIS weekend's mini-summit between France, Germany and Britain is unlikely to completely reconcile their remaining differences over transferring power to the Iraqi people, according to diplomats.

Paris has urged the US-led Coalition Provisional Authority to undertake a "symbolic" handover of sovereignty to the Iraqi people within a month.

But Washington has rebuffed this call, saying it will not depart from the Gulf state until a proper constitution and government are in place.

Tony Blair, Gerhard Schröder and Jacques Chirac are due to discuss the future of Iraq at their meeting in Berlin this Saturday (20 September).

This is being held as part of efforts to heal the rift which rent the EU asunder in the period leading up to the war against Saddam Hussein's regime.

But insiders say it is unlikely that the central question of when to give Iraqis the reins of power in their own country will be resolved at the meeting.

France and Germany have both proposed a swift transfer of sovereignty in a submission to the United Nations Security Council, but Britain is siding with the US.

"This is more a work in progress type of meeting than an amazing breakthrough type of thing," remarked one UK diplomat. "We are not going into this saying that we must get the following things out of this."

Nevertheless, the diplomat echoed recent suggestions that a rapprochement between the three countries might be possible in the near future by describing the gaps between them as "bridgeable".

Jeremy Greenstock, the new UK envoy to Iraq, this week said he felt it may be possible to secure an agreement between the most powerful members of the UN Security Council on "accelerating the timetable" for the transfer of power.

"Are we seeking a breakthrough [at the summit]?" asked an aide to its host, Gerhard Schröder.

"I wouldn't go that far. But everybody wants to talk and have a look at our positions. Maybe we can agree on some points."

Meanwhile, external relations chief Chris Patten visited Baghdad yesterday as part of preparations for the international donors conference, due to take place in Madrid on 23-24 October.

Diplomats do not believe an informal summit of the leaders of France, Germany and the United Kingdom in Berlin on 20 September 2003 will satisfactorily settle any outstanding differences over transferring power in Iraq to the Iraqi people.