Portugal Says Willing To Join EU Force In Lebanon
Portugal Says Willing To Join EU Force In Lebanon - Dow Jones
LISBON (AP)-Portugal said it would be willing to join any European Union peacekeeping force as part of efforts to stop fighting between Israeli troops and Hezbollah guerrillas in Lebanon.
"The government wishes to express its availability to discuss -in consonance with other EU members -the constitution of an EU peacekeeping force in the Middle East," Foreign Minister Luis Amado told parliament on Thursday evening. " Portugal is willing to, within the E.U., help find a strong solution for this conflict."
Amado said it was time for the E.U. to take a strategic political and military stand in the Middle East. "We are standing before a crisis that demands action like never before," he said.
"For more than 50 years we have passively watched as wars developed in the Middle East. The E.U. cannot just be a humanitarian aid relief provider. ... Diplomacy without strength is inconsequential," he said.
Italy, Germany, Ireland, France and Turkey have said they are considering joining a U.N.-run multinational force.
Comments
If that does not bring the two sides to the negotiating table I don't know what will!
Posted by: kev | July 30, 2006 12:22 PM