"War is not inevitable," the President of the EU Council, Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou stressed at the Arab League summit in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt on Saturday (1 March).

Papandreou reiterated the need for Saddam Hussein's full compliance with UN Security Council resolution 1441 and expressed support for the initiatives of the Arab world aimed at a peaceful resolution of the Iraq crisis, with their sending a clear message to Baghdad.

Addressing the 22-nation Arab League, Papandreou restated the joint decision of the 15 EU Member States of 17 February, which was endorsed by the ten acceding and 3 candidate countries, noting however that he could not be certain the EU would have a common stance in the event of unilateral military action. Conveying the climate during his recent visit to the United States, he emphasised the need for Iraq to disarm, saying that otherwise "war will be certain".

In his speech at the Arab League summit, Papandreou reiterated that the settlement of the Palestinian problem was a standing priority for the EU.

"The occupation of Palestinian lands must stop," he said, underlining the need to implement the 'road map' for peace in the Middle East.

On the issue of European-Arab relations, Papandreou expressed support for close cooperation between the two sides through the assumption of joint initiatives. He stressed that the EU wanted the Arabs to have "a strong and united voice".

On the sidelines of the summit, Papandreou had private talks with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, Libyan leader Muammar Gadaffi, King Mohamed VI of Morocco and Iraqi Foreign Minister Naji Sabri. 

The full address by George Papandreou is as follows:

"Your Majesties, your Highnesses, Your Excellencies, Ladies and Gentleman,

It is a great honour to be here at your summit today in Sharm El Sheikh. Allow me to thank both the Chairman in office, Mr. Mahmoud Hamoud and the Secretary Gerneral, Mr. Amre Moussa, for this invitation. We were honoured with their presence in our Foreign Minister’s meeting last Monday in Brussels.

Allow me also to convey a special message from President of the European Council, Prime Minister Costas Simitis. Unfortunately he was not able to be here personally. He has asked me to stress the following points:
1. The importance the European Union attaches to your Summit.
2. The commitment to working closely with all in the Arab World during this crisis.
3. The political will the European Union will continue to display in fighting for peace and corporation, and in particular a lasting and just solution for Palestine.

The Greek Presidency of the European Union has undertaken intense diplomatic efforts to strengthen the voice of Europe on Iraq and the Middle East Peace Process. At our Extraordinary Summit on 17th February, we forged a common position. The elements of this position are:

• The complete disarmament of Iraq.
• The full and immediate compliance of Iraq with UN Resolution 1441.
• Our full support for the work of the UN and its inspectors. Further decisions must be taken only within the UN Framework and not unilaterally - we support international legitimacy.
• We recognise that what cooperation by Iraq has been seen until today is very much a product of (a) the unanimous decision of the world community, and (b) backed by credible force.
• Even so, we believe that use of force can only be a last option. All other means must be exhausted. Certainly all fifteen European Union Members - or even 28, including the candidate countries – would prefer to see a peaceful resolution of this crisis.
• Finally, we believe adequate time and necessary means must be given to the inspectors, although their work can not be indefinite.

The Greek Presidency has been mandated by the 15 leaders to take whatever necessary initiatives to exhaust all possible means towards a peaceful resolution of the Iraqi crisis.

I have just arrived from Washington and Paris. I have been in constant contact with many members of the United Nations Security Council, as well as many countries of the region and the Arab League. I have discussed the issue extensively with United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan.

While the world community unanimously voted for United Nations Resolution 1441, today it is divided on how to proceed further. As in the United Nations, in the European Union there are two approaches:

One view says:

• Iraq has begun to cooperate.
• 1441 is working.
• Even though we do not have full compliance, we do have containment, and therefore use of force is not needed, or at least is premature.
• We need more time – the inspectors need more time and means to continue and complete the job at hand.

The other view says:

• Cooperation is only on procedure, not on substance.
• Saddam Hussein is simply playing for time, and shows no real will to cooperate and no will to truly disarm.
• He has flouted United Nations Resolutions for years.
• His last chance to comply is nearing its end.

We could debate these two views forever. In the European Union, as in the Arab League, certainly among the majority, the preference between the two views is obvious. We know what the possible consequences of war could be – humanitarian catastrophe, a threat to territorial integrity, and a sharp rise in radicalisation. However, it would be a loss of time if we were to be consumed by the debate. Whether the glass is half full or half empty is a debate which will soon end in the Security Council – one way or another.

In Washington, the United States is preparing for military intervention at full speed. It is ready to take on the task of governing Iraq for the next few years if necessary, before it hands over the country to the Iraqis themselves. It believes these changes will, in the end, stabilise the region.

In my numerous contacts with the United States and others, I have asked what it would take to avoid a war. I have clearly asked if war is now inevitable.

The answer still is that, although the clock is counting down, we have not reached the final hour. War is still avoidable. War is not inevitable.

To my question what would be the conditions under which war could be avoided, I have received the following answers – and let me be very sincere with you, as friends, or even family, as we in Greece see you.

• The first answer has nothing to do with UN Resolution 1441. You have heard it and is it is ‘the regime change of Saddam Hussein’. I have personally repeated to all that I find this both unrealistic and of course outside the United Nations mandate.
• The second answer is: if Saddam Hussein made a dramatic move to disarm this would turn the tide. What would be a dramatic move? We have discussed the possibility of benchmarks, clear targets, to be achieved within a specific time period. This has not been accepted. What is needed is clear, unequivocal cooperation and dramatic moves such as the destruction of all operational weapons and clear evidence of what has been done with weapons that are known to have existed.

Whether or not we think this second option may be too much to ask of Saddam Hussein, I see it as the only chance for possibly avoiding war.

Can we guarantee that war will not begin if Saddam Hussein does fully cooperate and both Dr. Blix and Dr. El Baradei attest to this?

We can guarantee that, even in the United States, the tide will turn against military action - even if there are those who may want this war for other reasons. We can guarantee that the European Union would have a united voice on this.

What I can also guarantee – coming from Washington – is that otherwise, war is guaranteed.

I am trying to make myself as clear as possible. I am trying to be as sincere as possible. I do so because we know the major role the Arab world can play. The European Union supports this role. We know your message to Saddam Hussein – with our backing – is of utmost importance. We are ready to give you any necessary support in order to take an initiative in this direction. We are sure you would have the approval of the world community.

Your Majesties, Your Highnesses, Your Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen,

I have taken much of your time, but allow me to make two more points before I conclude.

In our discussions in the European Union, we have unanimously demanded of the international community to put the Middle East Peace Process first on the list of priorities. If we talk of regional and world stability, then this issue must finally be addressed and resolved. The European Union is ready to realise this vision. I reiterated this position in the EU-US Troika meeting in Washington this week also. We share the frustration you feel in not having a definitive solution - an end to occupation so that a viable Palestinian state can be created. Guarantees for the security of Israeli citizens will also guarantee greater regional security.

Washington conveyed to us their sincere commitment to tackle this issue. However, they see this – as you may know – as an issue to be dealt with after the Iraqi crisis. We have asked for the publication and implementation of the Road Map agreed by the Quartet as of now.

Whatever the developments and whatever the assurances, let me stress two points:
a) The European Union will continue to actively engage in the Middle East Peace Process.
b) Let us work together to make sure that immediately after the Iraqi crisis we push for a just resolution of the Palestinian issue. We are ready to work with you.

My second point concerns the Arab world and our relations with you.

If we look at who is on the streets in our capitals shouting for peace, it is clear that this crisis has not divided us between east and west, or Muslim and Christian. Our citizens have pointed to an inspiring vision of cooperation and peace in this world. We may be going through difficult times in the next weeks and months, if we fail to avoid war. But I want to be very clear that the European Union cherishes its relationship with the Arab world, and we want to work with you to further develop this vision of a world of peace, prosperity, and stability.

The European Union believes in a strong, united Arab voice. The European Union desires that the Arab world and civilisation takes an active part in world developments. We believe you can and should help shape events in a positive way. The European Union actively fights any notion of stereotypes and discrimination, and rejects the notion of a ‘culture clash’.

But if we are to avoid culture clash, if we are to create a different vision for the world, we must be able to open up a serious and sincere dialogue – at all levels and on many difficult questions – respecting each others’ views as equals.

Just some of the questions we need to respond to are:

• How do we address the issue of weapons of mass destruction effectively? Whether in North Korea, Iraq, or elsewhere, Europe does not want to see the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.
• How can we strengthen multilateral solutions to global crises?
• How do we deal with new security threats such as terrorism in an effective way? How do we understand and define terrorism? What are its causes and how do we address them together?
• How do we enhance our citizens’ participation? How do our cultures communicate? Our peoples? Our citizens?
• Can we take practical initiatives together on critical global issues, such as working together to eliminate poverty?

When the Arab world has taken such initiatives for peace and stability, we have applauded. The Beirut Declaration, the Istanbul Declaration, recent Arab peace initiatives to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict such as the Cairo Talks, are just a few examples.

Now we must take initiatives together, steps towards a new vision. We have already discussed this with the Arab League, and are ready to move forward in every way possible on these questions.

In conclusion, allow me to say that the Greek Presidency will be at the helm of the European Union for another four months. It will be followed by the Italian Presidency. Take advantage of these Presidencies, so close to your region. We Greeks do not only see you as partners and friends, but as our family.

Many of you knew my father, Andreas Papandreou. He was not only a friend of the Arab world, but also championed the Arab cause and fought for a just solution for Palestine.

I am sure he would be pleased to see us together today. I am certainly moved and honoured. Moved and honoured to be amongst you and to continue this historic tradition of Greek-Arab relations - and at this important moment for EU-Arab cooperation. I am committed to working with you for world peace".