The US drive to build an international coalition to go after terrorist groups got underway with visiting French President Jacques Chirac saying he favoured the idea, but only if its aims and strategy were first agreed.
In his first meeting with a foreign leader since the nightmarish events of September 11, US President George W. Bush put his case to Chirac that the perpetrators of the attacks that left 6,000 dead or missing -- including hundreds of victims from at least 55 countries -- must be hunted down.
The response was positive, but not the whole-hearted embrace Bush might have expected from a fellow NATO member.
"Obviously, military cooperation is conceivable," Chirac said at a joint news conference, but added that Paris must first be "in agreement on the aims and methods of an action."
France, he said, reserved the right, "like all NATO countries, to evaluate for itself the means and nature of any military intervention it conducted."
His remarks were later echoed by German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder who told parliament in Berlin that the United States has a duty to consult with its European allies on its intended anti-terrorist measures.
"And this means: information and consultation," Schroeder said.
The White House said Chirac and Bush had a "good exchange" and that the French president "fully supported the US in our common struggle against terrorism."
White House spokesman Sean McCormack added that "both countries stand together and will stand together in that conflict."
Germany, Italy and Britain have also expressed concerns that the United States take a go-it-alone approach to a military campaign that would likely target the prime suspect behind the attacks, Saudi multi-millionnaire Osama bin Laden, and terrorist cells.
Chirac was only the first of a number of leaders from Europe, Asia and the Middle East lining up to speak to Bush and US Secretary of State Colin Powell.
British Prime Minister Tony Blair, who is to arrive Thursday, is certain to make a stronger show of support.
Talks with Indonesian President Megawati Sukarnoputri and foreign ministers from Russia, China and Saudi Arabia before the end of the week could also provide a valuable impression that the coalition is not an exclusively western undertaking.
The overtures are not just being made to friends, allies and regional powers.
The State Department said Tuesday it had reached out to Cuba and Sudan, two countries it deems "state sponsors of terrorism," for help.
Powell called Sudanese Foreign Minister Mustafa Ismail on Monday to discuss counter-terrorism cooperation after Khartoum sent a condolence message to Washington and said it wanted to assist in the campaign, spokesman Richard Boucher said.
The call to Ismail, believed to be the highest-level contact between the United States and Sudan in several years, followed a US request last week to longtime foe Cuba relayed to Fidel Castro's communist government through the Cuban Interest Section in Washington.
The contacts with Cuba and Sudan occurred as Powell said he had been encouraged by positive signs from two other designated terrorism sponsors, Iran and Syria.
"In all those meetings in different ways we'll be talking to people about how we can cooperate and what kind of effort we can make," Boucher said.
Boucher said the visiting officials would be asked to provide intelligence information, conduct special investigations, curb the finances of terrorist groups, prevent their transit and shut down their offices.
South Korea, which has a mutual defense treaty with the United States, has already pledged its full support in the wake of the September 11 strikes on the World Trade Center and Pentagon.
Wednesday, Powell is to meet Russian Foreign Minister Ivan Ivanov, whose country has said it supports the US initiative but is reluctant to take an active role in possible strikes on Afghanistan.
He will also see German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer as well as Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal, whose country plays an immensely influential role in the Middle East.
Thursday, Powell is to meet with a trio of top European Union officials: Belgian Foreign Minister Louis Michel, whose country currently holds the EU presidency, European Commissioner for External Affairs Chris Patten, and top EU diplomat Javier Solana.
EU diplomats have said they want to impress on Washington that -- while the union deeply sympathizes with the United States and would back anti-terrorism steps -- Europe is not offering a "blank checque" of support that could involve NATO or other forces.
On Friday, Powell will see Chinese Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan -- whose country has condemned the attacks and has closed its borders with Afghanistan, Pakistan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan amid fears of impending US military strikes -- as well as Italian Foreign Minister Renato Ruggiero -- WASHINGTON (AFP)
© 2001 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
