Washington, 21/09/2001 (Agence Europe) - As we mentioned, the EU ministerial Troika meeting - Louis Michel, Javier Solana, Chris Patten - with Secretary of State Colin Powell, in Washington on Thursday, following the attacks of 11 November, led to the adoption of a joint EU/United States Statement affirming the determination of the transatlantic partners to fight together and in international fora against the scourge of terrorism., including in a series of concrete fields (see yesterday's EUROPE, p 5, for the suggestions made by Antonio Vitorin and Chris Patten).
Here is the text in full of the EU/United States ministerial statement on combating terrorism:
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"In the coming days, weeks and months, the United States and the European Union will work in partnership in a broad coalition to combat the evil of terrorism. We will act jointly to expand and improve this co-operation world-wide. Those responsible for the recent attacks must be tracked down and
held to account. We will mount a comprehensive, systematic and sustained effort to eliminate international terrorism -- its leaders, its actors, its networks. Those responsible for aiding, supporting or harbouring the perpetrators, organisers and sponsors of these acts will be held accountable. Given the events of 11 September 2001 it is imperative that we continue to develop practical measures to prevent terrorists from operating.
Our resolve is a reflection of the strength of the U.S. - EU relationship, our shared values, and our determination to address together the new challenges we face. The nature of our democratic societies makes it imperative to protect our citizens from terrorist acts, while at the same time protecting their individual liberties, due process, and the rule of law. The U.S. and the EU are committed to enhancing security measures, legislation and enforcement. We will work together to encourage greater co-operation in international fora and wider implementation of international instruments. We will also co-operate in global efforts to bring to justice perpetrators of past attacks and to eliminate the ability of terrorists to plan and carry out future atrocities. We have agreed today that the United States and the EU will vigorously pursue co-operation in the following areas in order to reduce vulnerabilities in our societies:
Powell and Michel stress importance of transatlantic consultations
Beyond the immidiate response that the attacks of the 11 September call for, the partners show the same determination to provide decisive efforts at all levels - internal, bilateral, international - and on all fronts, including political, diplomatic, financial, legislative, judicial and police, to succeed in their aims. In addition, the hope of a resumption of the peace process in the Middle East urges them to "step up their cooperation" in the matter and call with all their heart for a meeting "very soon" between Israeli Foreign Minister Shimon Peres and the President of the Palestinian Authority, Yasser Arafat
The unprecedented "campaign" to which the transatlantic partners have just provided the go-ahead and which was at the centre of talks, on Friday, is a "a long term campaign" that will be undertaken in a deliberate and decisive manner, "and we shall be patient, but opinionated too (…) until we have succeeded", American Secretary of State Collin Powell declared during the press conference that closed the meeting with the European Troika. The talks, in which the Advisor for National Security Condoleezza Rice also took part, was "very positive and we focused on how the Union could work with the United States, best combining our forces, to combat terrorism", he said, qualifying the atmosphere as one of "solidarity" and "resolve". According to him, "the Union's principled response to the 11 September attacks and to our call for a worldwide efforts against terrorism is just the latest demonstration of the fact that a strong and united Europe is good, indeed essential, for the United states, for Europe and for the world". The ministerial Statement demonstrates the "understanding and total solidarity between America and Europe", Louis Michel agreed, saying that the idea of Europeans was that this partnership should be "the hard core of a strong response by he international community", faced with terrorism. "the Euro-American leadership must be based on permanent, opportune and global consultations at all levels", and "all international organisations an the UN in particular must engage in this enterprise", he added. Asked about the "different sensitivities" felt among the Fifteen, as to the modalities of the response to the attacks of last week, the President-in-Office of the Council stated that "so far, the different countries have shown total solidarity, and I have felt no differences in their statements". "You'll see", he added, "I believe that solidarity is ready to go much further than you think".
According to the Europeans, the transatlantic entente is also total on the fact that the military aspect of the campaign is far from being a major element in it and that the roots of the "evil" need identifying (including social, economic problems), its instruments (methods of recruitment, etc.) its support (States, drug trafficking, money laundering…), all "while considering measures of economic and diplomatic development that must go hand in hand with the rest (…) Europeans and Americans are in total agreement here", said the Commission's spokesman, for his part.
While the Troika were on their way back to Brussels, Mr. Michel rose up against the "pinion by which the United States is managing this crisis like a cowboy". …/..
That "rests on nothing", he said, certain that "the approach of the American Government is very nuanced, sophisticated even - it is more than a military campaign". He did not have the "impression that the Americans were going to wildly use violence. There is no improvisation", he said, "in truth, reassured by the way they are reacting", in particular by the fact that "Mr. Powell and Ms. Rice should be on the same wave length. "I can understand that the Americans who have just lived through a traumatic experience should use certain terms (such as war and crusade: Ed)", Mr. Michel continued, adding: "Europe does not intend doing likewise. Should the Union firmly engage in the fight against terrorism, it has to do so using a terminology that does not frighten public opinion"
Friday, an American official told EUROPE of his satisfaction at the "Union's rapid reaction to our efforts aimed at constructing a word coalition against terrorism". "This coalition is being formed on several fronts" and "at the same time as joint military planning", enhanced transatlantic cooperation "can contribute to dismantling terrorist networks" the same sources in Brussels tell us.
Speaking to Congress, Bush avoided any assimilation of terrorism to Islam
While reaffirming before Congress on Thursday, the United States' determination to conduct a war without mercy on terrorists and all those supporting them, President Bush was careful to avoid an assimilation: "This evening, I want to address myself directly to Muslims throughout the world. We respect your faith. It is freely practised by several million Americans… This information is good and pacific… The enemy of America is not our numerous Muslim friends. It is not our Arab friends. Our enemy is a network of extremist terrorists and all the governments that support them."