EU ministers seek easing of Israeli blockade

EU FOREIGN Ministers appealed yesterday to Israel to ease its blockade of autonomous Palestinian territories. Their action was prompted by concern at reports of disruption of essential supplies to the territories.

A declaration from their informal Palermo meeting reflected serious worries that Presidents Arafat could face a political backlash if conditions deteriorate.

The ministers also agreed to send a mission to Iran and Libya. Tehran will be told clearly by the EU diplomatic mission that its failure to condemn terrorism is likely to end even the limited critical dialogue between the EU and Iran.

On both issues the EU is marking out a position distinctively different from the US before Wednesday's Sharm El Sheik peace summit in Egypt, called by, President Clinton. As the major aid provider to the Palestinians (45 per cent of foreign aid comes from the EU), the Union is determined to develop a separate diplomatic niche for itself in the region and be seen as more even handed than Washington.

The Union's willingness to engage in a constructive dialogue with the region's also reflected in the decision not to send the troika mission to Syria, whose role in the present crisis, diplomats emphasised repeatedly, was very different from Iran's.

The Commissioner for Mediterranean Affairs, Mr Manuel Marin, told journalists that during a visit to Damascus last week, President Hafez al Assad had expressed strong support to him for the return of a moderate Labour government in Tel Aviv. Only a Peres government, he believed, would win a referendum on withdrawal from Golan.

The Tanaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Spring, said the meeting was sending a message of support from the EU to both Mr Arafat and Mr Peres, and a commitment that, having invested heavily in the peace process, "we are determined to see it through".

Mr Spring said: "What was happening up to a fortnight ago was certainly on the right track and held out a prospect for the future." That had been put in jeopardy by Hamas terrorism.

In a strong presidency statement issued by the Italian Foreign Minister, Ms Susanna Agnelli, the ministers acknowledge the right of Israel to take "tough measures" to assure the safety of its population. But they warn the Israelis that their blocking of flour, international humanitarian aid, and construction supplies to the Palestinians may jeopardise the peace process.

Ministers also agreed that despite the failure of the US Japan and the Islamic countries to make explicit cash pledges for the reconstruction of former Yugoslavia, the Union intends to press ahead with its pledging conference in Brussels on April 12th. A major diplomatic offensive in the meantime will target reluctant donors.

Ministers failed, however, to break the deadlock on the role of the European Parliament in the treaty changing Inter Governmental Conference. Britain and France are against any significant role for MEPs.

Colour was provided to the occasion by a loose cannon, as represented by Ms Agnelli, whose press conferences continue to be conducted with a breezy disregard for diplomatic language and nuance.

The Irish Times asked her about the ministers lunchtime debate on China and human rights. Could she tell us about the letter the EU had sent to the Chinese on Friday?

"You're not supposed to know what we discussed at lunch, she scolded the assembled hacks. "And there was no letter."

Exit Ms Agnelli, to be replaced by a senior Italian official who, while not saying his minister might have been economical with the truth, admitted that "some ideas" have been put to the Chinese.

And the truth is, according to anonymous diplomats that at Bangkok only a week ago Messrs Kohl, Chirac and Major, in the hope of making inroads into the huge Chinese market, had signalled to the Prime Minister, Mr Li Peng, that they might be willing to seek a rapprochement with Beijing.

Ms Agnelli also startled journalists when she explained that the EU was looking for a candidate with mayoral experience to take foyer the management of the Bosnian town of Mostar from the EU's administrator, Mr Hans Koschnik, who has resigned for personal reasons. She then, as good as, publicly offered the job to the mayor of Palermo, Mr Leoluca Orlando, who was sitting in the audience. Mr Orlando, no friend of the Mafia, might find Mostar a good deal safer than his present post.