Blair's 'reality check' on US gets frosty reception in Brussels
British Prime Minister Tony Blair’s call for Europe to wake up to the reality of George Bush’s re-election as US President gained a frosty reception in Brussels today.
In a newspaper interview today, Mr Blair accused fellow EU leaders of being in a “state of denial” over the second Bush term and urged them to forge closer trans-Atlantic relations, particularly over the rebuilding of Iraq.
But French President Jacques Chirac countered that the EU needed to reinforce its own unity in a world which he said was increasingly divided.
While Mr Blair claimed to have detected a readiness among his European colleagues to rebuild bridges with Washington, Mr Chirac pointedly stressed the need to develop EU cohesion in a “multi-polar” world.
“Europe today has more than ever the need, the necessity, to reinforce itself and its dynamism and unity,” he said. “That is the goal of the constitution in a world that is more multi-polar than ever.”
Mr Chirac’s comments will keep the heat up on a simmering row over Iraq, following the staunch opposition of European countries including France and Germany to last year’s conflict.
It had been thought likely that a Kerry victory in the November 2 US poll might have cleared the way for Paris and Berlin to take a more active role in Iraq, possibly even sending peacekeeping troops. But this seems a remote prospect following Mr Bush’s re-election.
Yesterday, Iraq’s interim Prime Minister Iyad Allawi criticised states which took a “spectator” role in the reconstruction of his country. He confirmed that his remarks were directed at France or Germany.
Mr Chirac left the EU summit in Brussels early today, missing an address by Mr Allawi to the gathered European leaders.
But he denied this was intended as a snub, saying: “I have absolutely no problem with meeting Mr Allawi if he wants to meet me.”
His early departure was necessary in order for him to attend a memorial service in the United Arab Emirates to its late leader, said Paris.
In today’s interview with The Times, Mr Blair said: “President Bush is there for four years. In a way some people are in a sort of state of denial. The election has happened. America has spoken. The rest of the world should listen.” He added: “It is important that America listens to the rest of the world too.”
Speaking after talks with Mr Allawi early this morning, Mr Blair made little attempt to hide his exasperation at continued criticism of the Iraq war and its aftermath in Europe.
He said: “If you read the comments made by people around Europe over the past few months, there are some people who have not wanted to come to terms with the changes that have happened. I’m not going to point fingers at people, but we have got to move on. There is a new reality.“
Mr Blair said he got the impression that leaders of other European states were coming round to the need for a good relationship with the US under a re-elected President Bush
“We have a situation where President Bush has been elected,” he said. “He is there now for four years and my sense in talking to European leaders overnight is that people do understand this is the reality and it is important that we work with the Americans and, of course, the Iraqi government to bring stability to Iraq.”
Today, as the summit drew to an end, all EU leaders including Mr Chirac put their name to a communiqué reaffirming Europe’s goal of establishing “a secure, stable, unified, prosperous and democratic Iraq that will make a positive contribution to the stability of the region”.
They expressed their “full support” for the arrangements for a transition to democratic government in Baghdad and pledged to support Mr Allawi’s interim government in its efforts to hold nationwide elections in January.
The communique followed the formal confirmation of a new package of aid for Iraq totalling more than €28.4m.
The draft communique described Europe and the US as "natural and indispensable partners'' and "warmly congratulated'' Mr Bush on his re-election.
“The European Council warmly congratulats President George W Bush on his re-election as President of the United States of America,” it said.
“Our close transatlantic partnership, based on shared values, is fundamental for Europe’s approach to building international peace, security and prosperity.
“Our deep political, economic and cultural ties make us each other’s natural and indispensable partners.
“The EU and its member states look forward to working very closely with President Bush and his new administration to combine efforts, including in multilateral institutions, to promote the rule of law and create a just, democratic and secure world.”
Dutch Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende, who holds the presidency of the European Council, made clear that there was an onus on Mr Bush to make overtures to Europe.
“I really hope, after the election of George Bush, that he will invest in good relations with European countries,” said Mr Balkenende. “We have shared responsibility on worldwide issues.”
