Iraq: Duff says take pride in Old Europe

12.00.00am GMT Thu 30th Jan 2003

In a statement at the European Parliament in Brussels today, Andrew Duff, has criticised the lack of European cohesion in the face of the Iraqi crisis. Duff, who is the Liberal Democrat Member of the European Parliament for the East of England and a member of the Parliament's Foreign, Security and Defence Committee, said:

"The European Union has proven once again that it has yet to get its act together over critical security issues. Government ministers are falling out about whether to support the US or not. They would be better to concentrate Europe's efforts on giving unstinting support to the United Nations and in insisting that all countries, including the USA, mobilise the whole international community behind the enforcement of UN Security Council Resolution 1441.

"The EU has much to offer Iraq and the Middle East in terms of economic development, inter-cultural dialogue and humanitarian assistance to the massive flow of refugees that will be created by an escalation of military conflict. The diplomatic skills and military capability of 'old Europe' in terms of conflict resolution and peace-keeping are impressive. We should be more confident of using them."

Duff regretted that a European Liberal Democrat resolution to assert the right of the International Criminal Court to try Saddam Hussein has been narrowly defeated. He opposes sending an official delegation from the European Parliament to Baghdad at this stage of the crisis.

The European Parliament today passed a resolution by 287 votes to 209, with the support of the Liberals, saying that "any further steps must be taken by the UN Security Council after a full assessment of the situation".