02-02-2003 18:28									#1
	Greece does not rule out emergency EU Summit on Iraq Support Apolyton, buy Galactic Civilizations

ATHENS, Greece - Greece did not rule out the possibility it may call an emergency European Union (news - web sites) summit on Iraq, but said Saturday the decision hinged on evidence presented by the United States to the U.N. Security Council.



U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell (news - web sites) has pledged to present evidence about Iraq's alleged weapons programs before the Security Council on Feb. 5.


"We don't rule out the calling of an extraordinary EU Summit or general affairs council meeting, but we will have a clearer picture in deciding the next steps after our talks on Feb. 5," Foreign Minister George Papandreou said. Greece holds the six-month rotating EU presidency.


A general affairs council involves foreign ministers and not heads of government.


Papandreou and Premier Costas Simitis spent four hours discussing the possibility of calling a summit in mid-February that would include the 15 EU member states, 10 EU candidate countries, Bulgaria, Romania, Turkey and countries neighboring Iraq.


Papandreou will travel to New York on Wednesday for a meeting with the four EU members that hold seats on the Security Council.


That trip will come after Papandreou returns from a EU-supported mission to the Middle East. Papandreou leaves Sunday for a trip that includes visits to Syria, Jordan, Lebanon and Egypt as part of an effort to seek regional support for talks that could end the showdown between Washington and Baghdad.


Greece has spent the past few days trying to heal a rift in the EU's stated aim of creating a joint foreign and defense policy. The division came when the leaders of five EU states and three candidate countries published a joint letter expressing solidarity with Washington over Iraq.


Published in major U.S. and European papers, the letter was signed by the leaders of Britain, Spain, Italy, Portugal, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Poland and Denmark.


Absent were the leaders of France, Germany, Greece and several other smaller EU nations strongly opposed to U.S. President George W. Bush (news - web sites)'s threat to use military force in disarming Iraq.




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Personally, I'd like that meeting to take place. Let the 5 EU members (out of 15) and the 3 new EU members (out of 10) present their views OFFICIALLY (and not by public relations, meaningless sucking up letter to the US which circumvents EU formal procedures).

	02-02-2003 20:48									#2
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Denmark recently proved small countries can do big things for the EU.

Lets all hold hands and sing: Give Greece a chance

	02-02-2003 21:43									#3
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VetLegion, did you check out that 'Savior' movie already?

	03-02-2003 01:30									#4
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Replace Greece with Peace and you're on

	03-02-2003 01:45									#5
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quote: Replace Greece with Peace

where do I sign?

	03-02-2003 02:13									#6
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BTW Vetty I know you're trolling but the most "small countries" are opposed to the war. In another thread there is the list of the 8 just basically saying "hello to the US through the letter" - and the 38 other countries of Europe

	03-02-2003 02:22									#7
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quote: BTW Vetty I know you're trolling

as the great proverb says, it takes one to know one.

seriously, paiktis, I think you should either ditch the EU, or turn it into a superstate. the stuff you're doing right now... what is it good for ,anyway?

	03-02-2003 05:26									#8
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I am not trolling you you paranoid Greek Stop seing enemies everywhere


I was serious, Demnark did an amazing job with negotiations of new members, they are a small country but they will be remembered for this.

If Greece can somehow make united EU foreign policy happen, it will be a great feat too.

	03-02-2003 05:30									#9
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quote: VetLegion, did you check out that 'Savior' movie already?

Hey, thanks for reminding me. I ll rent it out tommorow

	03-02-2003 05:31									#10
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I think this meeting will take place, and will be as beautiful as a useless EU meeting can be :
Everyone will come, every European TV will say how great and progressive the Greek initiative is. After some time (hours, or even one or two days), everybody will agree on a very cute declaration with very cute words, but without any political impact.

In the EU, we know not to do anything, but we do it with style

	03-02-2003 06:02									#11
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quote: Originally posted by Azazel as the great proverb says, it takes one to know one. seriously, paiktis, I think you should either ditch the EU, or turn it into a superstate. the stuff you're doing right now... what is it good for ,anyway?

I'm all with making EU a superstate, but it ain't gonna happen overnight. This is the best we can do right now, backstabbing prime ministers and their letters notwithstanding.

	03-02-2003 06:20									#12
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Newsflash:

Greek pressure causes U.S. to rethink entire foriegn policy.





Categorize that under "Things that will never come to pass".

Once the EU can work together effectively, maybe it will happen. But don't hold your breath.

	03-02-2003 06:42									#13
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FOPG is only mad becuase thier EU presidency is going down in flames.

	03-02-2003 06:58									#14
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Nah, I think FOPG wants to achieve something to get a recognition among other EU countries. Currently, it has the worst reputation as EU member (within EU institutions - AFAIK, normal people don't consider FOPGians any worse than others), and I suppose FOPGian elites want it to change.

	03-02-2003 07:30									#15
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quote: Originally posted by Spiffor I think this meeting will take place, and will be as beautiful as a useless EU meeting can be : Everyone will come, every European TV will say how great and progressive the Greek initiative is. After some time (hours, or even one or two days), everybody will agree on a very cute declaration with very cute words, but without any political impact. In the EU, we know not to do anything, but we do it with style

Precisely

Vetty you can troll better than that...

	03-02-2003 07:55									#16
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quote: Originally posted by Jaakko I'm all with making EU a superstate, but it ain't gonna happen overnight. This is the best we can do right now, backstabbing prime ministers and their letters notwithstanding.

Yep, getting everyone "back in line".

But is it wise to press the issue where clearly there is disagreement?

I admit I don't know.

	03-02-2003 08:02									#17
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BTW there was an interesting article in the newspaper about the crisis in '73 with the Arab-Israeli war (as an incentive for that analysis was the current division between US - EU on Iraq).

The US and most of the then EC were in disagreement back then too.

After that it is when the idea for a common foreign policy actually solidified.... (and took concrete form as a target in community law)