Display:
Scathing reports are exactly as useful as sternly worded letters.

To date Brussels has threatened sanctions against Italy, Israel, the Saudis and Iran, for various reasons.

The EU also threatened sanctions against Poland and Romania for hosting CIA jails. So Brussels certainly does have leverage, and is willing to consider using it.

But Brussels didn't threaten sanctions against any of the countries which sent troops to Iraq. In fact there was a Press Communiqué in 2004 which said:

The EU and the GCC stated their determination to assist the Iraqi people as they enter a new
era in the history of their country.

The EU and the GCC expressed concern about the security situation in Iraq, noting that this
remains a major impediment to successful political and reconstruction processes. They
condemned all violence and terrorist attacks, including the kidnappings and brutal murder of
hostages. They deplored the taking of hostages in all circumstances and called on those
responsible to release immediately and unharmed all remaining hostages and to desist from
any further such activity.

The EU and the GCC expressed their abhorrence at recent evidence of mistreatment of
prisoners in Iraqi prisons. The EU and the GCC condemned any instances of abuse and
degradation of prisoners in Iraq, which are contrary to international law, including the Geneva
Conventions. The EU and the GCC welcomed the commitment by relevant Governments to
bring to justice any individuals responsible for such acts involving the abuse of Iraqi
detainees, and their commitment to rectify any failure to adhere to international humanitarian
law.

This was in a formal statement by official representatives of the EU, speaking for the EU.

So it's not impressive that it doesn't read like a forceful condemnation of an illegal war and occupation, or of a government which had been saying since 2002 that the Geneva Conventions didn't apply to its interrogators.

by ThatBritGuy (thatbritguy (at) googlemail.com) on Sat Jun 7th, 2008 at 06:49:19 PM EST
[ Parent ]
correct link

When the capital development of a country becomes a by-product of the activities of a casino, the job is likely to be ill-done. — John M. Keynes
by Migeru (migeru at eurotrib dot com) on Sat Jun 7th, 2008 at 06:57:08 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Display:
Login
. Make a new account
. Reset password
Recommended Diaries
Clipping the wings of a judge
by Migeru - Feb 10
56 comments

Sarkozy: Enemies Ahoy!
by afew - Feb 10
33 comments

Hunger March wins PR battle
by DoDo - Feb 9
3 comments

LQD: Unsustainable irrigation
by Melanchthon - Feb 9
1 comment

Romania: protests change government
by DoDo - Feb 8
6 comments

Murdoch - Outsourcing and Hubris
by ceebs - Feb 3
18 comments

Obama wins GOP Primaries (to date)
by Frank Schnittger - Feb 8
9 comments

Bristol Pound
by ChrisCook - Feb 7
14 comments

Recent Diaries
Sarkozy: Enemies Ahoy!
by afew - Feb 10
33 comments

Clipping the wings of a judge
by Migeru - Feb 10
56 comments

LQD: Unsustainable irrigation
by Melanchthon - Feb 9
1 comment

Hunger March wins PR battle
by DoDo - Feb 9
3 comments

Obama wins GOP Primaries (to date)
by Frank Schnittger - Feb 8
9 comments

Romania: protests change government
by DoDo - Feb 8
6 comments

Answers to the Renewable Energy Consultation
by Luis de Sousa - Feb 7

Bristol Pound
by ChrisCook - Feb 7
14 comments

The Imitation Of Germany
by afew - Feb 4
31 comments

Strange Fruit
by Frank Schnittger - Feb 4
14 comments

Murdoch - Outsourcing and Hubris
by ceebs - Feb 3
18 comments

Mismatch with the Natural Gas Market
by Luis de Sousa - Feb 3
22 comments

The Future of Economics
by ARGeezer - Feb 2
191 comments

Desert Island Discs - Helen's distortions
by Helen - Jan 31
48 comments

Gorila
by DoDo - Jan 29
14 comments

Rail News Blogging #7
by DoDo - Jan 29
15 comments

Obama's State Of The Union: LQD
by Crazy Horse - Jan 25
74 comments

Democracy Technology
by gmoke - Jan 24
1 comment

The Hydrogen dream
by Luis de Sousa - Jan 24
49 comments

ET Paris Meet-Up 2012 (2 UPDATE)
by afew - Jan 23
113 comments

More Diaries...
Occasional Series