Brussels, 11/03/2011 (Agence Europe) - Should there be military intervention in Libya, as Paris and London are saying, to stop Gaddafi bombarding his own people? The option is on the table but it would seem that the decision is not one for the EU to make, but for the UN Security Council, NATO, the Arab League and the African Union. Should there be recognition of the National Transition Council (NTC) as the sole legitimate representative of the Libyan people, following France's example? No, this would be premature because the EU has to speak with all opposition forces and not, at this stage, give exclusive legitimacy to the NTC, which is, nevertheless, a “political interlocutor”. Should the EU speak to the Gaddafi regime? No, the colonel no longer has any legitimacy. “He is no longer an interlocutor of the EU” and must go “immediately”. How can the EU help Libya? In the short term, by continuing to provide humanitarian aid, by putting as much pressure as possible on Gaddafi to leave office, and by unambiguously supporting the democratic aspirations of the Libyan people. In the medium to long term, by supporting the democratic and socio-economic transformation and by fully reviewing its neighbourhood policy in order to create a new “partnership” with all the countries of the Southern Mediterranean and North Africa.
This is, in summary, the main outcome of the extraordinary European Council of 11 March, the aim of which, according to Herman Van Rompuy, was to agree on the “political direction” for the common EU response to events in Libya and in the other Arab countries in the throes of change.
Gaddafi must go. “All 27 said it loud and clear: Gaddafi must go”, Van Rompuy told the press after the summit. “The problem has a name: Gaddafi. He must go”, echoed European Commission President José Manuel Barroso. The revolution belongs to the Libyan people and the process of democratisation must be led by the people itself, Van Rompuy stressed. The people has its destiny in its own hands, nothing will be decided by the EU, which stands ready, however, to support the change, he said. The revolutions in Libya, Tunisia and Egypt are far removed from religious extremism or a culture clash. The EU must not miss this historic opportunity to support these movements, he went on to say.
Should there be military intervention? Following a long discussion on whether or not there should be military intervention in Libya to stop Colonel Gaddafi from using his armed forces against the opposition, the European Council finally opted for a cautious approach. “The safety of the people must be ensured by all necessary means. … In order to protect the civilian population, member states will examine all necessary options, provided there is a demonstrable need, a clear legal basis and support from the region”, leaders said in a joint statement. On this very sensitive issue, the EU wants to cooperate closely with the UN, the Arab League and the African Union, as well as with other international partners. To this end, member states call for a trilateral summit with the Arab League and the African Union to be held “as quickly as possible”.
France and the United Kingdom would have liked the EU to take a much more “ambitious” stance, including providing for the possibility of “targeted” military strikes, under certain conditions. “Along with David Cameron, both the UK and France said they were willing, on the express condition that it be sanctioned by the United Nations, that the Arab League accept it, and that the Libyan authorities which we would like to see recognised want it, to undertake purely defensive targeted action in the event, and only in the event, of Gaddafi's using chemical weapons or aviation against people demonstrating peacefully”, French President Nicolas Sarkozy said as he arrived at the summit. The Franco-British idea did not receive the support needed. “It is not for the EU, but rather the UN, NATO and the Arab League to discuss a military intervention”, stated Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt. Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte shared this view. Imposing a no-fly zone and preparing for military intervention “is not for Europe. That is for NATO to decide”, he told press. German Chancellor Angela Merkel also opposes military action in Libya. “We have to think very carefully before taking measures”, she said.
Sarkozy and Cameron were content with the outcome of the summit nevertheless. “Mr Cameron and I are pleased that the European Council text expresses its deep concern at the air attacks and says that, to protect the civilian population, member states will look at all the options necessary. You understand that all the options necessary being examined by the European countries are not just diplomatic options”, he told press after the meeting. “Europe is sending a signal and did not want to rule out this option.” The French president repeated his reservations on NATO military action and spoke of the complexity of a no-fly zone, even though EU leaders decided not to rule out that option. He added that, within the European Council, no one is in favour of a military option and no one is thinking about a massive land operation.
Recognition of the NTC? Heads of state and government “welcome and encourage” the National Transition Council, established in Benghazi, which they consider to be a “political interlocutor”. Van Rompuy met NTC representatives just prior to the summit. These people have taken very important decisions in joining the opposition, though some of them, as former ministers, were close to Gaddafi, Van Rompuy said. The important thing is that they had cut their links with the dictator to join the revolution, he said. “We consider them sufficiently reliable to work with them”, he stated. On this point, France would have liked a stronger political commitment on the part of the EU member states. On Thursday 10 March, France surprised - and annoyed - its European partners be announcing that it recognised the NTC as the only “legitimate representative” of the Libyan people. By Thursday evening, Sarkozy was furiously back-pedalling. In a letter to Herman Van Rompuy, the French president and UK Prime Minister David Cameron called only for “cooperative dialogue” with the NTC. France and the UK also want to “support the efforts of the Interim National Transition Council to prepare a representative and responsible government. We must send a clear political signal that we consider the Council a valid political interlocutor and an important voice for the Libyan people”, Sarkozy and Cameron wrote. Mark Rutte, the Dutch prime minister, was pleased that the French request had not been successful. “It is not for Europe to recognise a self-proclaimed transitional regime”, he told press.
Buzek: arrest warrant against Gaddafi. In his speech to leaders, European Parliament (EP) President Jerzy Buzek said that the EU should issue an international arrest warrant for Colonel Gaddafi and the other main leaders of his regime “for crimes against humanity”. The European Council did not back this request. The EP president also called for a total ban on trade relations with the regime. “No European company should trade with Gaddafi”, he said. Buzek also said the EU should use the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) instruments to enforce the sanctions imposed.
Tunisia. In their statement, leaders welcomed the announcement of the date, 24 July 2011, for elections for a constituent assembly. The EU stands ready to give its support to the democratic process, including through enhanced status for Tunisia, member states say. “As soon as the Tunisian authorities are ready, the EU is willing to offer support to tackle the economic and social challenges faced by Tunisia”, the statement reads.
Egypt. The EU supports the democratic transition in the country and welcomes the first proposals made to amend the constitution. It calls on the transitional authorities to lift the state of emergency. Member states say they are ready to make European aid available in line with the priorities set by the Egyptian people and the transition government, with which dialogue is on-going.
European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP). Existing partnerships and assistance programmes will be “rapidly reviewed”, in close cooperation with the beneficiary countries “in order to better target present needs”, heads of state and government agreed, welcoming the recent Commission communication on this issue (see EUROPE 10331). They support the Commission idea of a “Partnership for Democracy and Shared Prosperity”, but say that it should also be based on “deeper economic integration and political cooperation”. The Council will speedily examine the proposals in the Commission communication and “in particular, the conditions under which the EU's support to its partners could be enhanced”. Leaders also keenly await the next Commission communication (expected in April) on the review of the ENP.
Economy/Trade. The European Council also highlighted the need to modernise the economies of the countries in transition towards democracy. “Economic development and job prospects, especially for the youth, are of paramount importance to stabilise democracy”, member states argue. The Council hopes to reach rapid agreement on the existing proposal on pan-Euro-Mediterranean rules of origin, the statement says. The Council calls on the Commission to make proposals to increase trade and foreign direct investment in the region. It is urgent, too, to revitalise the tourism sector in the region, leaders note. The EIB financial support capacity should be increased. The Council should also examine the possibility of transforming the Euro-Mediterranean Investment and Partnership Facility into a “Bank for the Mediterranean”, as proposed by the president of the EIB. (H.B./L.C./A.N./transl.rt)