http://www.boston.com/dailynews/264/world/EU_leaders_support_targeted_U_:.shtml

EU leaders support 'targeted' U.S. retaliation against nations harboring terrorists

By Raf Casert, Associated Press, 9/21/2001 18:35

BRUSSELS, Belgium (AP) Stressing their solidarity with the United States, European Union leaders on Friday gave their backing to ''targeted'' U.S. retaliation against countries harboring terrorists and said they were prepared to help.

''We reaffirmed our full solidarity not only from the heart but also from our sense of reason,'' French President Jacques Chirac said. ''To be clear, we will not sit on the sidelines of this battle against this scourge.''

In a joint statement issued at an emergency summit, the 15 government leaders said that based on the U.N. Security Council resolution following last week's terror attacks on New York and Washington, ''an American riposte is legitimate.''

''We want these actions to be targeted,'' the declaration said, adding that the targets can include ''states abetting, supporting or harboring terrorists.'' Each of the EU countries is prepared to aid the U.S. response ''according to its means,'' they said.

''The EU shows not only verbal solidarity but is also ready to assist in necessary military measures,'' said German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder.

Britain also put its full backing behind targeted retaliation. ''There is no way that we can refrain from taking action against those responsible, because it wouldn't be just or right and also for our own protection in the future,'' Prime Minister Tony Blair said.

In their statement, the leaders urged President Bush to build ''the broadest possible global coalition against terrorism'' and emphasized their rejection of any efforts to equate ''fanatical terrorist groups'' with Arabs and Muslims in general.

''It is not the West against terrorism. It is the world against terrorism,'' Chirac said.

With flights over Brussels banned and barbed wire sealing off the summit center, the EU leaders met to demonstrate their solidarity with the United States following the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon.

They backed a common definition of terrorism and the introduction of a European arrest warrant that would allow for extradition much faster than the procedures now in place.

Under the proposal, a single warrant issued by one EU country would apply in all 15 allowing French police to detain suspects under a warrant issued in Germany, for example.

''The European arrest warrant will allow the direct handover of wanted people from one legal authority to another,'' the leaders' statement said.

It would apply to suspects of terrorism and other serious crimes such as trafficking in drugs, arms and humans, and crimes against children.

The proposal must be approved by the European Parliament, often a lengthy process. But German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder said the countries hope to wrap it up by their next summit in December.

EU leaders also called on their nations' judicial authorities to draw up a single list of terror suspects and organizations operating in Europe.

Within the Europol police unit, a special anti-terrorist team will be set up as soon as possible to cooperate with U.S. authorities, the declaration said.

The leaders also called for a U.N. convention against international terrorism and directed their finance, justice and interior ministers to take measures to fight ''any form of financing of terrorist activities.''

That should include adoption of an extended directive against money laundering and a decision on freezing assets of suspected terrorists.

The leaders also urged increased airport security, including training for crew members, tighter baggage control and increased security to stop unauthorized people from gaining access to the cockpit.

The EU leaders say the fight against terrorism can only be won with the backing of moderate Islamic nations and if it is accompanied by new initiatives in the Middle East peace process.

''We have to do more than ever before to solve the problem areas that are a source of terrorism,'' said Belgian Foreign Minister Louis Michel, who was the host of a parallel meeting of the 15 EU foreign ministers.

The leaders said a team of envoys headed by Javier Solana, the EU foreign policy and security chief, will travel to several mostly Islamic countries including Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Saudi Arabia, Iran and perhaps Pakistan starting Monday.

The host of the summit, Belgian Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt, will travel to Washington on Thursday for talks with Bush, they said.

In recent months, the Europeans have criticized the Bush administration for being too aloof from the Israeli-Palestinian violence and urged it to become more involved in the search for peace.

Meeting separately in Liege, Belgium, the EU's finance officials issued a statement saying Europe's economy remains solid despite the increased risks of recession.

In hectic trading, European stocks fell sharply again Friday, reflecting uncertainty about the outcome of the campaign against terrorism.

-- Anonymous, September 21, 2001