Powell to focus on post-war Iraq

Europe Correspondent

However, officials have warned Mr Powell not to expect firm decisions and that there were differences between the US and Europe on the UN role in a post-war Iraq.

Senior US diplomats told the EU yesterday Mr Powell wanted to discuss the situation of the war in Iraq and his ideas about what will happen post war.

He will meet the EU's Greek presidency represented by Greek Foreign Minister Georges Papandreou, Foreign Affairs Chief Javier Solana and External Affairs Commissioner Chris Patten. They will be pushing for the UN to be given control of the political, humanitarian aid and reconstruction of Iraq post war.

Spokesperson for Mr Patten, Emma Udwin, said: "We want to hear clarification directly from the US on their thinking on what will follow post the armed conflict in Iraq. There have been a number of conflicting reports about what they have in mind.

"We will want to reiterate our concern to see the UN centre stage. However this meeting comes too early for us to discuss concrete plans and we will listen to what the US has in mind," said Ms Udwin.

She described Mr Powell's visit as an important first step before there can be any other discussions on what happens in post war Iraq.

Commission spokesman Reijo Kemppinen said Mr Powell will also meet EU and NATO foreign ministers.

Transatlantic relations soured in recent months as Germany, France and Belgium vehemently opposed the U.S.-led war against Iraq and Britain, Spain and Portugal supported it.

Despite the tensions, most EU and NATO foreign ministers are expected to attend Thursday's meetings, including Irish Foreign Minister Brian Cowen, French Foreign Minister Dominique de Villepin and Germany's Joschka Fischer.

In London, British officials confirmed the attendance of British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw, adding he may hold bilateral talks with Mr de Villepin.

Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov and Mr Powell agreed on Monday to meet in Brussels. Meanwhile, Britain and the US clashed yesterday over the UN's role in post-war Iraq.

British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw said he wanted the UN to oversee aid operations and for new resolutions to endorse Iraq's future.

He also said for the UN to host a conference of all Iraq's diverse groupings to plot a way ahead after President Saddam Hussein was toppled.

"I very much hope that following the removal of Saddam Hussein's regime, the UN will have a leading role in organising a conference to bring together representatives from all sections of Iraqi society," said Mr Straw.