Iraq Policy Leaves Europe Divided

German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder said on Tuesday that his government’s anti-war stance will make it difficult for European members of the U.N. Security Council to forge a common policy on Iraq, though he stressed that such an integrated position should be Europe’s goal.

Schröder, speaking in Berlin prior to travelling to France for talks with President Jacques Chirac, said for the first time that he supports a second U.N. Security Council resolution on Iraq prior to any military strike.

“It is likely that the European partners and also others will work towards a second decision and I also think that is sensible,” Schröder said at a news conference.

Changes in Security Council membership

Germany and Spain began a two-year stint on the 15-seat Security Council on Jan. 1. France and Great Britain are permanent members.

Schröder was re-elected in September partly on a strong anti-war platform and he has said repeatedly that Germany will not take part in a military action against Iraq. He has left the decision about how Germany might vote in a Security Council debate open, however.

“Germany will not take part in a military action in Iraq and this basic position will form the foundation of the behavior of those who represent us in international forums,” he said on Tuesday.

German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer had hinted in recent days that the Security Council resolution from last year, which put pressure on Baghdad to re-admit weapons inspectors, could be enough to authorize a military strike. This was seen by some political observers as an attempt to avoid a public fight within Schröder’s ruling coalition of Social Democrats and Greens over the issue of war.

France holds middle ground

France holds the political middle ground between Great Britain and Germany on the issue of Iraq -- and Schröder will certainly address the issue at dinner talks in Paris. The meeting was planned in conjunction with next week’s 40th anniversary of the Elysee Treaty, which provided the basis for cooperation between the countries after years of tensions during World War II. Both leaders say they are working toward increased cooperation on foreign policy.

Though France has given indications that it is prepared to follow its old ally the United States in a possible war in Iraq, its position is not set in stone.

“The French position depends on a variety of factors,” French political scientist Pierre Hassner told DW-TV. “In brief, one can say ‘yes.’ But Chirac does occasionally say both: ‘A war is inevitable and we must prepare ourselves,’ and then again, ‘We’re doing our utmost to avoid war.’ Both options are possible.”

Foreign policy is focus of dinner meeting

The issue of Iraq is perhaps the most current and extreme example of why it is difficult for European leaders to agree on foreign policy issues. But that very topic will be high on the agenda for Schröder and Chirac.

The two leaders are trying to resolve differences about how the European Union should be governed. Germany favors a federal model, while France maintains that member countries should remain in charge.

The talks relate to attempt to create a European Union constitutional treaty by June.

“I am certain the German wish for a strengthening of the Commission and the European parliament will not fall off the table, not least because the smaller nations of Europea have an interest in this structure,” said Rudolf von Thadden, coordinator for Franco-German relations, in an on-line discussion on Monday.

Schröder and Chicac are also due to discuss cooperation agreements in areas ranging from labor policy to education and security, schedule for release on Jan. 22, the 40th anniversary of the Elysee Treaty.