US and EU agree on Nato help for Iraq

The United States and the European Union today put aside past differences and offered support for a greater Nato military role in Iraq.

Both parties offered their full support to efforts to combat international terrorism and to rebuilding post-Saddam Iraq.

In a joint statement the EU and US leaders said they would support Iraq’s urgent request for Nato help in training security forces to deal with countrywide violence.

The breakthrough was announced following talks between US President George W. Bush and the EU delegation led by Taoiseach Bertie Ahern at Dromoland Castle in Co Clare.

The statement endorsed the formation of a fully sovereign Iraqi interim government at the end of the month.

“The European Union and the United States share a common commitment in our support for the Iraqi people and the fully sovereign Iraqi interim government as they build a free, secure democratic, unified and prosperous country, at peace with itself, its neighbours and with the wider world,” it said.

“Iraq needs and deserves the strong support of the international community to realise its potential.”

It went on to express a shared commitment to urge other, including international organisations, to support the economic and political reconstruction of Iraq, focusing on priority projects identified by the interim Iraqi administration.

The United States and 25-nation EU pledged to help reduce Iraq’s estimated $120bn (€98.8bn) foreign debt and support the training of Iraqi security forces.

The 14-point statement said it also supported United Nations’ help in rebuilding Iraq and setting up elections no later than January 31, 2005.

The document also stated that the United States and EU support the mission of the multinational force for Iraq, which includes protecting the UN presence there.

“We recognize the vital need to combat terrorism and maintain security and stability in Iraq,” the declaration said.

“We stress the need for full respect of the Geneva Conventions. We also support the training and equipping of professional Iraqi security forces, capable of assuming increasing responsibility for the country’s security,” it said.

Iraq has been a touchy issue in Europe, causing major rifts between the United States and allies such as France and Germany who opposed the US-led invasion of Iraq.

Both France and Germany have been hesitant about enlarging Nato’s role in Iraq, but have left the door open to training programs.

The EU statement said its members “suppport the training and equipping of professional Iraqi security forces, capable of assuming increasing responsibility for the country’s security, as requested by Prime Minister (Iyad) Allawi.”

Allawi sent a letter to Nato this week pleading for ”urgent help” from the alliance to build up Iraqi forces “to defeat the terrorist threat and reduce reliance on foreign forces”.

From Ireland, Mr Bush heads to Turkey where he will join leaders of the 26-nation Nato alliance at summit talks on Monday and Tuesday focused on Iraq.

Administration officials expressed confidence that Nato would accept a bigger role in Iraq, offering to train security forces and provide equipment.

The United States had once hoped Nato would send peacekeeping troops to Iraq, but that idea died under fierce opposition from France and Germany.

On the economic side, the United States and the EU also signed an agreement to make the EU’s planned satellite navigation system compatible with the existing U.S. Global Positioning System.

Foreign Minister Brian Cowen, EU Transport Commissioner Loyola de Palacio and US Secretary of State Colin Powell signed the agreement. They said the deal would improve the navigation systems and lower prices for consumers.

Powell said the pact “will open up major opportunities for scientific research and creative engineering.”

Thousands of protesters travelled by bus from Dublin, and marched to barbed wire barricades set up a few miles from the castle. No arrests were reported.

“George Bush, No. 1 terrorist,” chanted the crowd. One group of demonstrators held a white coffin to symbolise Iraqi civilians killed in the war.

The NGO Peace Alliance, a umbrella group for 50 separate anti-war movements, said the protests were entirely peaceful despite the unprecedented security force presence

“Everyone is in good spirits and there is no hassle at all,” spokesman Brendan Butler said.

“We are very happy with the turnout considering all the security restrictions.”

Another smaller group of around 100 protesters set off from a peace camp outside Ennis and marched to Shannon Airport as Air Force One prepared for its afternoon departure.

Terry Clancy from the Dublin Grassroots Network said people were determined to show their opposition to Mr Bush’s foreign policy.

“We are all united against the Bush visit,” he added.

About 4,000 police officers and 2,000 soldiers were deployed to protect Mr Bush. Weekend protests were expected in several European cities.

Four naval ships, Air Corps planes and specialist decontamination and bomb disposal teams will be on high alert to guard against a possible chemical or biological attack throughout the visit.

Up to 700 armed US Secret Service personnel have also accompanied Mr Bush on the trip, while riot police and water cannons are on standby to deal with any trouble from anti-war protesters.

Meanwhile Mr Bush teased reporters during a photo opportunity with Taoiseach Bertie Ahern.

“I hope the American press corps stayed out of the pubs last night,” he said. “Looks like some of them didn’t.”