Powell Holds "Frank" Talks with Europeans on Iraq

03/04/2003| IslamWeb

US Secretary of State Colin Powell held "frank" talks with European counterparts on rebuilding Iraq , seeking to mend fences despite continuing differences over the war. In his first trip to Europe since the conflict started, Powell met EU and NATO foreign ministers for a day of consultations which both sides hope could begin to put transatlantic relations back on track. "We will be discussing how we will be reshaping and restoring our transatlantic relationship," said Greek Foreign Minister George Papanendreou, whose country holds the EU presidency.

Powell, whose talks included a one-on-one meeting with leading anti-war ministers including France's Domique de Villepin, said beforehand that he would focus on post-war Iraq.

"I will talk to my colleagues in NATO and EU about the campaign and plans of reconstruction, plans of creating an interim authority," he said. "I want to hear ideas from them about reconstruction and contributions the EU will be able to make."

The EU wants the UN to take a "central" role, while the US administration appears divided on the issue, with hawks saying the US should remain for a while in charge in Iraq.

Papandreou, describing the talks as "frank and sincere," said the Europeans would reiterate their call. "We want to see a strong UN role in all phases of the Iraqi crisis," he said.

EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana said it was too early to talk about financial aid to rebuild Iraq - but expressed hope for an accord on the role of the UN in Iraq.

"An agreement has been already reached on food for oil," Solana said, referring to an accord by the UN Security Council. "If that has been possible I don't see why the rest should not be possible," he said.

Powell was also to meet with Russia's Igor Ivanov, while German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer and Britain's Jack Straw were also among ministers lunching with Powell.

Diplomats have warned his task will be delicate.

But the meetings are also "a sign that nobody wants to be cut off from the Americans for a long time, above all if one wants to have an influence on what happens after the war," one diplomat said.

Later Thursday Powell was notably to attend a meeting of NATO's decision-making North Atlantic Council (NAC) at the level of foreign ministers.

NATO was plunged into an unprecedented crisis in February after three anti-war countries blocked a US request to help boost Turkey's defences in preparation for a war.

The row was resolved after a deal bypassed France. But Germany and Belgium, while reluctantly agreeing, have since threatened to withdraw their support if Turkish troops move into northern Iraq.

The issue of Turkey and Iraq was likely to be discussed at Thursday's talks, which come after Powell visited Ankara on Wednesday, securing Turkish logistical support for US operations in northern Iraq, and again warning Ankara against sending troops into the Kurdish-held region.

Swedish Foreign Minister Anna Lindh reiterated Europe's call for a central UN role. "I hope it becomes obvious to all of us that the UN has to have a leading role," she said.

Danish Foreign Minister Per Stig Moeller, whose country is strongly behind the US-led war, welcomed Powell's decision to meet his European counterparts during the hastily-arranged trip.

"It is very important that Powell comes to Europe because there is a division in NATO about Turkey and in the EU about Iraq," he said.

"I do not think we get a conclusion but we will have a good and open discussion," he added.

Security was tight for the talks, with activists in fiercely anti-war Belgium planning demonstrations outside NATO headquarters where the meetings were taking place.

Water cannons were seen among police reinforcements around the alliance complex on the outskirts of Brussels, while nearly 100 police were also deployed in the grounds of the headquarters.

PHOTO CAPTION

US Secretary of State Colin Powell (L) meets Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul (R) in Ankara(AFP/POOL/Burhan Ozbilici)