The
real bond between the U.S. and Europe is the values we share: democracy,
individual freedom, human rights and the rule of law. These values crossed
the Atlantic with those who sailed from Europe to help create the United
States of America. Today they are under greater threat than ever.
The
attacks of Sept. 11 showed just how far terrorists -- the enemies of our
common values -- are prepared to go to destroy them. Those outrages were
an attack on all of us. In standing firm in defense of these principles,
the governments and people of the U.S. and Europe have amply demonstrated
the strength of their convictions. Today more than ever, the
trans-Atlantic bond is a guarantee of our freedom.
We
in Europe have a relationship with the U.S. which has stood the test of
time. Thanks in large part to American bravery, generosity and
farsightedness, Europe was set free from the two forms of tyranny that
devastated our continent in the 20th century: Nazism and communism.
Thanks, too, to the continued cooperation between Europe and the U.S. we
have managed to guarantee peace and freedom on our continent. The
trans-Atlantic relationship must not become a casualty of the current
Iraqi regime's persistent attempts to threaten world security.
In
today's world, more than ever before, it is vital that we preserve that
unity and cohesion. We know that success in the day-to-day battle against
terrorism and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction demands
unwavering determination and firm international cohesion on the part of
all countries for whom freedom is precious.
The
Iraqi regime and its weapons of mass destruction represent a clear threat
to world security. This danger has been explicitly recognized by the U.N.
All of us are bound by Security Council Resolution 1441, which was adopted
unanimously. We Europeans have since reiterated our backing for Resolution
1441, our wish to pursue the U.N. route, and our support for the Security
Council at the Prague NATO Summit and the Copenhagen European Council.
In
doing so, we sent a clear, firm and unequivocal message that we would rid
the world of the danger posed by Saddam Hussein's weapons of mass
destruction. We must remain united in insisting that his regime be
disarmed. The solidarity, cohesion and determination of the international
community are our best hope of achieving this peacefully. Our strength
lies in unity.
The
combination of weapons of mass destruction and terrorism is a threat of
incalculable consequences. It is one at which all of us should feel
concerned. Resolution 1441 is Saddam Hussein's last chance to disarm using
peaceful means. The opportunity to avoid greater confrontation rests with
him. Sadly this week the U.N. weapons inspectors have confirmed that his
long-established pattern of deception, denial and noncompliance with U.N.
Security Council resolutions is continuing.
Europe
has no quarrel with the Iraqi people. Indeed, they are the first victims
of Iraq's current brutal regime. Our goal is to safeguard world peace and
security by ensuring that this regime gives up its weapons of mass
destruction. Our governments have a common responsibility to face this
threat. Failure to do so would be nothing less than negligent to our own
citizens and to the wider world.
The
U.N. Charter charges the Security Council with the task of preserving
international peace and security. To do so, the Security Council must
maintain its credibility by ensuring full compliance with its resolutions.
We cannot allow a dictator to systematically violate those resolutions. If
they are not complied with, the Security Council will lose its credibility
and world peace will suffer as a result. We are confident that the
Security Council will face up to its responsibilities.
Messrs.
Aznar, Durao Barroso, Berlusconi, Blair, Medgyessy, Miller and Fogh
Rasmussen are, respectively, the prime ministers of Spain, Portugal,
Italy, the U.K., Hungary, Poland and Denmark. Mr. Havel is the Czech
president.
