Brief blog

The U.S. Intelligence Weaver

(credit: Royal Mail)

(BRUSSELS2) The High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy apparently trusts US intelligence more than its member states. Catherine Ashton's press release is worth quoting in full. Because it is self-sufficient...

Washington and the "others"

"I saw with great concern the statement released on 13 June by the White House. This presents new indications by the U.S intelligence services that the Assad regime has used chemical weapons against opposition forces in Syria. This assessment, combined with others that have been circulated, makes even more urgent our repeated calls for an agreement to immediately deploy a UN verification mission to investigate these allegations on the ground.
At the same time, these developments can only reinforce the importance of a political solution and should accelerate the efforts of the international community to find a definitive political solution to the conflict. It is urgent to advance the political process, starting with the convening of the planned peace conference on Syria. The EU will contribute to its success in every possible way.
The next Foreign Affairs Council will examine the overall situation and recent developments in Syria, of which the alleged chemical attacks are an important factor."

A semantic and therefore political dependence

The French and British sources, officially confirmed by the authorities in London and Paris, are reduced to the rank of simple "other" sources which "have circulated". Laurent Fabius and William Hague will be happy to be reduced to the rank of simple authors of rumours. And the High Representative's communication is motivated more by the decision taken at the White House than by the communications of these Member States. This statement is nonsense. She is also a mistake. While it is sometimes difficult for the European Union to speak with one voice, and to find a margin of autonomy vis-à-vis the United States, a margin of autonomy necessary to impose a political voice, this declaration brings the European Union back to the rank of simple auxiliary and commentator on a policy decided elsewhere... Thank you Lady!

Nicolas Gros Verheyde

Chief editor of the B2 site. Graduated in European law from the University of Paris I Pantheon Sorbonne and listener to the 65th session of the IHEDN (Institut des Hautes Etudes de la Défense Nationale. Journalist since 1989, founded B2 - Bruxelles2 in 2008. EU/NATO correspondent in Brussels for Sud-Ouest (previously West-France and France-Soir).

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