Europe's Changing Attitude on Iraq
"For the first time since 2003, a consensus is emerging in the EU on the need to do more for Iraq," write Daniel Korski and Richard Gowan of the European Council on Foreign Relations and add: "There is a risk that the United States will not take advantage of this opportunity."
They describe Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki's visit to Brussels in April as a catalyst for this changing European attitude:"Even in those countries that most virulently opposed the war, the mood is changing." French foreign minister Bernard Kouchner has repeatedly stated his desire to do more in Iraq. He alsoflew into Nasiriya last weekend, soon after the airbase had come under attack.
They describe Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki's visit to Brussels in April as a catalyst for this changing European attitude:"Even in those countries that most virulently opposed the war, the mood is changing." French foreign minister Bernard Kouchner has repeatedly stated his desire to do more in Iraq. He alsoflew into Nasiriya last weekend, soon after the airbase had come under attack.
Korski and Gowan conclude:
Getting from private to public statements is a step forward. Shifting from rhetoric to real engagement in Iraq will be an even bigger one.They also have an interesting suggestion for the US presidential candidates. Read more in the European Council on Foreign Relations blog. Two comments at their blog post confirm that public opinion in Europe is still quite opposed to more support for Iraq. So, I am not holding my breath until European states get more involved in Iraqi reconstruction and diplomatic initiatives.
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