Strikes in Syria. Perplexed Europeans (Shift)

(BRUSSELS2) If in London and Paris, the government's commitment to military intervention is beyond doubt, in the various European capitals, the point is more contrasted. We find, less abruptly, but just as present, some of the divisions noted during the operation in Libya. In fact, while everyone condemns the use of chemical weapons, most of the NATO allies and members of the European Union are, on the whole, very circumspect vis-à-vis a military operation, even hostile . We see a very clear line going from the very committed West to the East and North of Europe, the most reluctant, passing through the South of Europe worried by its proximity to the conflict.

draw all the consequences

It is Germany, which seems the most determined in its strong support for the intervention. Even if this support is without participation. Addressing the ambassadors, Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle said on Tuesday (August 27) that " the use of chemical weapons of mass destruction would be a crime against civilization. If such an act has taken place, the international community must act. Germany will then be among those who consider it legitimate to draw consequences Adding " we are in close consultation with the UN and with our allies. » The following day, Wednesday, he hailed Britain's attempt to secure a Security Council resolution.

Wait for the report, evidence... a UN warrant

To Netherlands, is waiting. In a letter to MPs, Foreign Minister Timmermans said he wanted to " wait “the results of the examination by the UN inspectors before being able to decide” on the next steps. Then it will be "the UN (to determine) later stages of significance”.

Specifically, the Belgium asks for a mandate from the UN Security Council before any intervention, as Defense Minister Pieter de Crem and his Foreign Affairs counterpart, Didier Reynders, reminded us. This one also demanded before any reaction “ first an exchange of information. (...) We will first ask the Americans to give more information about the origin of the use of chemical weapons in Syria ».

Maintain a safe distance

En Greece, the government wishes to maintain a certain safety distance to guarantee its stabilizing role in the region, as a government source explained to our colleagues from the daily Ta Nea. If Athens could thus support the decisions of its allies, it will be "without participation", at least active. But the possibility of using the Sude base as a stopover or supply base (as is often the case at present), could be maintained, according to the elements which filter in the Greek capital.

No military solution

The Italian government is clear. I'Italy “will not take part in any military solution without a mandate from the UN Security Council” said Emma Bonino, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, before Parliament. " Even the option of limited intervention risks becoming unlimited She added. “The only solution is a negotiated political solution ". As for the use of Italian military bases, no precise answer has been provided. But according to a government source, quoted by the Italian press, the government would be opposed to it if there is no UN mandate. Need it be said that the Americans also have a base in Sicily, guaranteed by a bilateral agreement.

No military solution

Same feeling in Finland. It's important to " not to resort to interventions based on false or inaccurate statements explains the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Erkki Tuomioja, who regrets the fact that the UN Security Council has not been able so far to assume the responsibility incumbent upon it". There “is no military solution to this conflict,” he adds.

It's at Prague as in several capitals of Eastern Europe where the strongest reservations about a military intervention have been expressed in the clearest way. In a communicated published this Wednesday (in Czech), the Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs has very clearly detailed this reluctance. The Czech Republic claims to be more in favor of a diplomatic resolution of the conflict, with the aim of obtaining " a ceasefire and negotiations on political transformation” from the country.

NATO condemns without more

It is therefore not surprising that the positions of collective bodies such as NATO or the European Union remain very imprecise. Meeting on Wednesday at NATO headquarters, the ambassadors of the NAC (the council of the Atlantic alliance) contented themselves with condemning the chemical attack and reflecting the diversity of points of view. " A flagrant violation of long-standing international norms and practices. Any use of these weapons is unacceptable and cannot go unanswered. Authors must be held responsible. But they do not indicate the means of this responsibility. " We will continue to consult and monitor the situation in Syria very closely. NATO will continue to assist Turkey and protect the Alliance's southeastern border. »

Nothing before the inspectors' report

The consensus on the need to wait for the report of the UN inspectors dispatched to Syria, in order to shed full light on the possible use of chemical weapons, their origin and their nature, thus prevails. It is in this sense that the spokesperson for Catherine Ashton, the High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs, answered questions from journalists. This " very important investigation. It is essential that this team be able to work under acceptable conditions so that it can carry out a full investigation into what happened last Wednesday. »