Iraq could be worse than Vietnam, says Patten

The Iraq conflict could become “much more serious” than the Vietnam war, EU Commissioner for External Affairs Chris Patten said today.

As renewed violence and a spate of kidnappings brought fresh controversy to the situation, he warned that if relations continued to deteriorate the long-term consequences would be immense.

Speaking at a conference of EU foreign ministers in Tullamore, Co Offaly, Mr Patten said: “The comparison that Iraq could become as difficult an issue as Vietnam is misplaced because I think it is arguably much more serious.

“If things go wrong in Iraq we will be living with the consequences for a very, very long time.”

Brian Cowen, Minister for Foreign Affairs, said the UN’s participation in the political transition process was essential.

“We believe that a UN resolution may well be a very helpful and welcome method and mechanism of increasing the orderly transfer of sovereignty to the people of Iraq,” he said.

“The elements and details of that resolution is a matter for the Security Council members themselves.

“We are agreed that a strong UN role is an essential element for a successful political transition process.

“The EU looks forward to the UN playing a growing role, endorsed by the United Nations Security Council, in the run-up to the transfer of sovereignty.”

Mr Cowen condemned the recent upsurge of violence and said ministers at the informal conference had discussed the deteriorating security situation.

Meanwhile British Prime Minister Tony Blair vowed to defeat the Iraqi insurgents and said the coalition would “see it through” to the end.