“Human rights are at the centre of the EU’s external action and the work of the newly established European External Action Service. We defend and promote human rights in all aspects of our work”
Catherine Ashton, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy
No matter how many hundreds or thousands of civilians are murdered by Libyan madman Gaddafi´s mercenaries, the European Union is unable to reach a common position:
Tunisia, Egypt and now Libya: The Arab revolution has taken German and European foreign policy makers by surprise. German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle have yet to adopt a clear stance on the crisis.
The Arab world is in turmoil -- but German and European politicians can't keep up with events. It is reminiscent of 1989 when East Germany crumbled before everyone's eyes, even though some in the West had only recently praised the stability of what was thought to be the world's tenth most important industrial nation.
Back then, there was neither a concrete plan nor a strategy. Politicians muddled their way through but the outcome, fortunately, was a success.
Another region of the world is now in upheaval -- and politicians are looking similarly stranded.
Italy´s Berlusconi is not willing to desert his "friend", madman Gadddafi:
The European Union, meanwhile, has not been able to agree on a common position. Italy is against sanctions. Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi has friendly relations with Gadhafi and spoke to him on Tuesday. Two years ago the two countries signed a friendship treaty in which Italy pledged to pay €3.4 billion ($4.6 billion) in compensation for its colonial rule, over 25 years. In return, Gadhafi agreed to intercept immigrants travelling to Italy. In addition, Italy relies on Libyan gas and crude oil.
Read the entire article in Der Spiegel here.
PS
Once again, the European Union shows that it is only a "paper tiger", despite all the talk about being a leading international player. So far, this is the only concrete EU action on Libya:
Declaration by the High Representative Catherine Ashton
on behalf of the European Union on LibyaThe EU has decided to suspend negotiations with
Libya on the EU-Libya Framework Agreement and is ready to take further measures.
Impressive, dear Baroness!
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