Annan Implores Europeans to Forge Pact on Rebuilding Iraq

The months before the US-led war in Iraq showed deep fractures in the EU, and according to this report on the first EU meeting since the war began, the divisions still linger. Aside from welcoming new and prospective EU members, two statements were passed at this meeting. The statement on Iraq, although “vague” and “brief,” held coalition forces responsible for restoring security in Iraq first and clearly wanted full UN participation in post-Saddam Iraq. But the second statement with “an emphatic focus on European unity” shows that trust and friendship has to be regained before concrete political decisions can be taken. Speaking to the region's leaders, UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan urged them to come to a consensus and work together on rebuilding Iraq. – YaleGlobal.