JEF-Europe strongly regrets:

1. the outbreak of war in Iraq and a lack of a diplomatic solution to the crisis

2. that a small number of countries have engaged in and supported military action without a specific UN mandate

3. the profound damage that has been inflicted on the relevance of international law as a result of deep political divisions within the UN and the European Union

4. that the common EU position on the Iraq crisis has been weak, did not deal with the main issues at stake and has been widely disregarded, and that the EU has failed to speak with one voice in the United Nations

5. that leaders of certain EU member states have claimed to be “speaking for Europe” during this crisis while their reasons for their statements have been ones of national, not European, interest

6. the disregard of the opinion of the European citizens expressed by the European Parliament

JEF-Europe hopes:

1. that the conflict in Iraq is solved swiftly and with as little loss of life and suffering inflicted on the local civil population as possible

2. that the Iraq crisis will act as a new impetus for the creation of an EU single foreign and security policy (SFSP)

JEF-Europe affirms:

1. its commitment to the value of peace

2. its condemnation of any regime that is not based on the principles of democracy, the rule of law, and respect for human rights.

3. that war must only be a very last option when all multi-lateral and diplomatic means have been pursued as far as possible

4. its opposition to unilateral military action and actions that contravene international law

5. its commitment to reform the UN in order to improve the democratic legitimacy and effectiveness of this institution

6. that the EU should play a positive role in the UN reform process while at the same time developing its own SFSP structures

7. that after the conclusion of the present conflict, Iraq should be placed under a UN protectorate until democratic elections can be held, and that the EU supports Iraqs democratization process

8. that it is the responsibility of the international community to grant human rights, asylum, and shelter to the refugees, as well as protection to innocent civilians.

9. that the EU should play an active role in the rebuilding of Iraq to avoid a humanitarian crisis and improve the standard of living, yet apply diplomatic pressure to those countries who have been involved in military action to ensure they contribute fully to the reconstruction process,

10. its support for a strong and active role for the EU in international affairs thanks to a far reaching SFSP in the future EU, welcoming the Belgian initiative to look for solutions to the crisis in a European framework

11. that the European Convention must propose bold, visionary and accountable SFSP proposals and incorporate these in the future European Constitution

12. the need for further development in European Union defence capabilities which should be promoted as an alternative to the present state of affairs which is inefficient due to the presence of 15 national armies

To find the resolution online, click: www.jef-europe.net/policies/archives/001097.html.