European agencies to share intelligence

By Batuk Gathani

BRUSSELS, SEPT. 21. The special summit of the 15 European Union member-States held here today was preceded by frantic diplomatic activity with major European powers articulating their response to the Bush administration's plan for a retaliatory military action against Afghanistan.

Many Europeans are increasingly apprehensive that the Bush administration may heading for a protracted and costly military campaign in Afghanistan to capture the Saudi dissident and terrorist leader Osama bin laden. The summit was held after the French President and the British Prime Minister, Mr. Tony Blair had bilateral talks with Mr. Bush. European Union Justice Ministers last night pledged to tighten anti-terrorism laws in the E.U. States. British security and intelligence services, MI5 and MI6 will now be required to share sensitive secrets with the European Police Office, Europol.

The Ministers announced a list of 37 proposals for police and judicial action, which includes a pan-European ``arrest warrant''. The plan comes as the U.S. steps up its military build up in the Persia Gulf. The Europeans have so far agreed in principle ``to participate and cooperate'' in any military strike but are unsure about the operational procedures and political fallout. According to informed observers, the European role in any U.S. military effort is likely to be small.

According to British, German and French defence sources, military action against Afghanistan is ``not imminent'' although the U.S. is marshalling its forces in the West Asian region. European leaders have urged the U.S. to make sure that the military response against Afghanistan is ``measured'' and have said that will participate in the military exercise as long it is ``appropriate and effective''. At their summit here, the E.U. leaders are expected to agree on a broad strategy to contain international terrorist movements. The main thrust of the current European diplomacy is first bring Mr. Bush back into the fold of the European-American Atlantic alliance. Many Europeans are convinced that the trauma of last week's attacks and the loss of over 6,000 lives may bring back the U.S. into the international community. Last night, the German Chancellor, Mr. Gerhard Schroeder said he strongly supported some form of military action but at the same time he strongly believed that the crisis also represented a golden opportunity to reverse a dangerous trend towards American isolationism.

On the eve of the E.U. summit, the British Prime Minister and the French President also echoed similar sentiments. The European perception is that every diplomatic and political effort must be made to form an effective international alliance of like-minded and democratic States to fight the evil of terrorism. It is argued that Mr. Bush should be persuaded to listen to what America's friends and allies have to say. European leaders warned against American unilateralism. The European leaders have so far spoken with one voice to the U.S. president and particularly to his more hawkish advisers. The European message is that all non- military methods must be fully explored to pave the way for the long-term success of the Western mission against international terrorism.

European and American security agencies are fast moving to seize bank accounts operated by suspected terrorists. The British and French Finance Ministers have proposed broader powers for the 30- country ``financial action taskforce'' set up at the G-7 summit in 1989 to ostensibly fight money laundering.

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Section  : International
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