[Culturechat] eight European states have issued a joint declaration of support for the United States

[WesTexas@aol.com]

(It is ironic that Germany--the country where Hitler rose to power--and 
France--the country that could have most easily stopped Hitler in the early 
to mid-Thirties--are the two most vociferous opponents of military action 
against Hussein).  J. Brown

The leaders of eight European states have issued a joint declaration of 
support for the United States in its efforts to disarm Iraq. The statement 
appeared in newspapers across Europe. Here is the text of the statement: 

The real bond between the United States and Europe is the values we share: 
democracy, individual freedom, human rights and the Rule of Law. These values 
crossed the Atlantic with those who sailed from Europe to help create the 
USA. 

Today they are under greater threat than ever. The attacks of 11 September 
showed just how far terrorists - the enemies of our common values - are 
prepared to go to destroy them. Those outrages were an attack on all of us. 
In standing firm in defence of these principles, the governments and people 
of the United States and Europe have amply demonstrated the strength of their 
convictions. 

Today more than ever, the transatlantic bond is a guarantee of our freedom. 
We in Europe have a relationship with the United States which has stood the 
test of time. Thanks in large part to American bravery, generosity and 
far-sightedness, Europe was set free from the two forms of tyranny that 
devastated our continent in the 20th century: Nazism and Communism. Thanks, 
too, to the continued co-operation between Europe and the United States we 
have managed to guarantee peace and freedom on our continent. 

The transatlantic relationship must not become a casualty of the current 
Iraqi regime's persistent attempts to threaten world security. In today's 
world, more than ever before, it is vital that we preserve that unity and 
cohesion. 

We know that success in the day-to-day battle against terrorism and the 
proliferation of weapons of mass destruction demands unwavering determination 
and firm international cohesion on the part of all countries for whom freedom 
is precious. The Iraqi regime and its weapons of mass destruction represent a 
clear threat to world security. This danger has been explicitly recognised by 
the United Nations. All of us are bound by Security Council Resolution 1441, 
which was adopted unanimously. We Europeans have since reiterated our backing 
for Resolution 1441, our wish to pursue the UN route and our support for the 
Security Council, at the Prague Nato Summit and the Copenhagen European 
Council. In doing so, we sent a clear, firm and unequivocal message that we 
would rid the world of the danger posed by Saddam Hussein's weapons of mass 
destruction. 

We must remain united in insisting that his regime is disarmed. The 
solidarity, cohesion and determination of the international community are our 
best hope of achieving this peacefully. Our strength lies in unity. The 
combination of weapons of mass destruction and terrorism is a threat of 
incalculable consequences. 
 
It is one at which all of us should feel concerned. Resolution 1441 is Saddam 
Hussein's last chance to disarm using peaceful means. The opportunity to 
avoid greater confrontation rests with him. Sadly this week the UN weapons 
inspectors have confirmed that his long-established pattern of deception, 
denial and non-compliance with UN Security Council resolutions is continuing. 

Europe has no quarrel with the Iraqi people. Indeed, they are the first 
victims of Iraq's current brutal regime. Our goal is to safeguard world peace 
and security by ensuring that this regime gives up its weapons of mass 
destruction. Our governments have a common responsibility to face this 
threat. Failure to do so would be nothing less than negligent to our own 
citizens and to the wider world. 

The United Nations Charter charges the Security Council with the task of 
preserving international peace and security. To do so, the Security Council 
must maintain its credibility by ensuring full compliance with its 
resolutions. We cannot allow a dictator to systematically violate those 
Resolutions. If they are not complied with, the Security Council will lose 
its credibility and world peace will suffer as a result. We are confident 
that the Security Council will face up to its responsibilities.

 Jose Maria Aznar, Spain 
Jose Manuel Durao Barroso, Portugal 
Silvio Berlusconi, Italy 
Tony Blair, United Kingdom 
Vaclav Havel, Czech Republic 
Peter Medgyessy, Hungary 
Leszek Miller, Poland 
Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Denmark