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

[Ann Hartmann]

Thank you so much for sending this to our chatline. Although no one in his
right mind would prefer a war, there is a time that comes when we have to
take a stand. I particularly like the statement, "Thanks in large part to
American bravery, generosity and far sightedness,Europe was set free from
the two types of tyranny that devastated our continent in the twentieth
century; Nazism and Communism". It is nice that some countries appreciate
the kindness of America, instead of talking about how terrible we are! I
notice that no country ever refuses our help, but many are quick to condemn
us. Do we do everything right? Of course not, but I am still proud to be an
American, and am thankful that we have, and are able to help others.

How about some more comments on this letter?                    Ann Hartmann
----- Original Message -----
From: <WesTexas@aol.com>
To: <culturechat@untours.com>
Sent: Thursday, January 30, 2003 12:19 PM
Subject: [Culturechat] eight European states have issued a joint declaration
of support for the United States


> (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
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