Dublin, 22/03/2013 (Agence Europe) - Upon their arrival in Dublin for the informal Foreign Affairs Council on Friday 22 March, Europeans still appeared divided. Although the French foreign minister, Laurent Fabius, spoke of lifting the arms embargo, William Hague of Britain, for his part, used the term “amend” several times, and Michael Spindelegger of Austria was quite open about his opposition to lifting the embargo.
When arriving, Fabius said that France hopes to discuss the question of the embargo in order to allow Syrian resistance fighters to defend themselves, it being understood that, if the embargo were to be lifted, any arms supplied should not fall into the wrong hands. That, he said, is the main issue. According to a French source, Paris hopes to trigger debate to review the embargo, without necessarily lifting it. He said that everything depends “where one puts the cursor” (at the level of amendments). Hague said discussion will be extended in coming weeks. He stated that, given the worsening situation on the ground, the embargo should be lifted end May (when the embargo ends), or serious amendments must be made. In order to support a political, diplomatic solution, which is essential for transition, they will have to step up the support that is given to the opposition on the ground, Hague added.
German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle was still reticent about lifting the embargo on offensive weapons, and recommended a common position. He said they were all sovereign states but that it would be useful to have a common position, assuring that, the more united they are, the greater their influence will be. Westerwelle went on to add that he believes such a decision is possible. He said that although, on one hand, the EU has the responsibility of supporting the opposition, it must, on the other hand, avoid aggressive weapons falling into the wrong hands. Westerwelle said it is essential to support the right people, not those who support the extremists. These are very difficult choices, he said, saying that he is in contact with the French and British but also with the Americans.
The fact that weapons might fall into the wrong hands also worries the Belgian minister, Didier Reynders, who explained that it is necessary to be very cautious in order to avoid proliferation, as there are many extremist groups. There is room for discussion on condition that real control is maintained on what is supplied, he added, pointing out that, for now, there is nothing to guarantee non-proliferation. During the European Council, French President François Hollande had said he had guarantees (see EUROPE 10807).
Via Twitter, as he did not speak to the press, Carl Bildt of Sweden, whose country seems opposed to lifting the embargo, said he wants to continue to give priority to seeking a political solution. Eamon Gilmore of Ireland took the view that what must be done is to focus on seeking a political solution and continue to support Lakdhar Brahimi. He added that increased militarisation would definitely not be useful as, the more arms that enter Syria, the more victims there will be.
Austria is openly opposed to lifting the embargo. Austrian Minister Michael Spindelegger was firmly opposed to lifting the embargo. He added that there is no need for more weapons but for a political solution and that “weapons do not bring peace”. The EU, he said during the ministerial discussion, was not created in order to supply arms, and there can be no amendment to that principle. Spindelegger said he had spoken to United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on the phone and that the Ban Ki-moon shares his view that lifting the embargo is “not a very good idea”. (CG/transl.jl)