Ireland fails to win explicit condemnation of massacre at Qana

RELEGATED to the sidelines of the Middle East peace process, EU foreign ministers last night issued a statement praising both French and US peace initiatives and "deploring" the loss of life in Lebanon and Israel. It pledged the Union to continue its diplomatic efforts in the region.

But in signalling in diplomatic code that the EU sees an equivalence between Israel and Hizbullah actions the ministers will disappoint those, most particularly in Ireland, who would like to have seen an explicit condemnation of the massacre at Qana.

Ireland did succeed, however, in getting a reference included in the text, to state that the EU "deeply deplored the sufferings inflicted on the civilian populations in both countries, in particular the tragedy at Qana. .

Last night the Minister of State for European Affairs, Mr Gay Mitchell, deputising for the Tanaiste, Mr Spring, said that he had wanted to see the attack on the UN base, the serious injuring of four UN soldiers, and the civilian deaths "strongly condemned".

"We should be specific and public in condemning the attacks on the Fijian troops acting under the banner of the UN," he said.

The Minister expressed satisfaction, however, that the text did include reference to the protection of UN troops.

Of course the reality was that the real action was elsewhere in the shuttle diplomacy being conducted by the US in the Middle East. There was some tacit acknowledgement by ministers that the EU's own diplomacy had not covered itself in glory.

Mr Mitchell, referring to the spectacle of countless foreign ministers touring the Middle East to relatively little effect, described as common sense "that too many cooks spoil the broth.". And, asked if EU co-ordination could be better, Mr Mitchell said that this would be a priority of the Irish presidency.

After her tour of the region the Italian Foreign Minister, Ms Susanna Agnelli, told reporters "the United States clearly wanted to go it alone in forging a ceasefire in Lebanon. I think that the Americans prefer it to be totally American," she said, adding that she hoped the US Secretary of State, Mr Warren Christopher, could succeed.

Mr Mitchell said, however, that in any attempt to broker a peace deal with Syria an EU role might still be necessary. He said that the EU might also become involved in guaranteeing the peace with troops or assisting with money.

The ministers also backed a statement warning the US that the EU is looking into instigating proceedings through the World Trade Organisation against the US over two pieces of legislation currently going through Congress which have extra territorial effect.

The Helms Burton bill and US sanctions legislation aimed at Tripoli and Tehran will allow legal action in the US courts against firms trading in the US who are also trading with Cuba, Libya, or Iran. EU lawyers are confident that such measures are in breach of WTO rules.