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Us Should Foot Iraq Bill Say European

#1 User is offline   jessefan 

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Posted 27 October 2003 - 06:15 PM

http://www.eupolitix.com/EN/News/871dd93a-...4e561f26024.htm

US should foot Iraq bill say Europeans

The majority of Europe’s citizens believe the US should pick up the bill for rebuilding Iraq, according to an EU poll published on Monday.

The Eurobarometer survey, carried out by the European Commission, reveals that 65 per cent of EU citizens want Washington to pay for reconstruction, compared to just 24 per cent in favour of EU financing.

The figures reflect the strong belief still lingering in Europe that the military intervention in Iraq was not justified in the first place.

According to the poll, two thirds of EU citizens were opposed to the war, even in Spain and the UK – the strongest allies of the US – where 79 and 51 per cent respectively were against military action.

However, more than half of those polled favour their country’s financial participation in rebuilding Iraq, with 76 per cent of Danish citizens urging their government to contribute.

In the same vein, an overwhelming 82 per cent of Europeans want to boost humanitarian aid to the country, with only 17 per cent opposed.

Military assistance is less popular among EU citizens, with an average of 54 per cent not in favour of sending national troops.

European countries have widely differing views on the subject as the survey reveals that while 77 per cent of Danes want their troops to be involved, 71 per cent of Germans are against.

The United Nations is the most trusted body to take the lead in the rebuilding of Iraq and to guarantee security in the war torn country, the survey reveals.

A total of 58 per cent believe the UN should keep this role, with only 18 per cent able to trust the US to rebuild Iraq.

When asked about the Middle East peace process, most European citizens – 81 per cent – think that the EU should play an important role in resolving the conflict.

Announcing the latest figures on Monday, chief spokesman for the European Commission, Reijo Kempinnen, expressed sadness and shock at the bomb attack at the International Red Cross headquarters in Baghdad.

He said the commission deplored the assault on the ICRC which was “providing life-saving humanitarian aid” and was “not involved in the politics of Iraq.”



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