Super power squabbles

Tensions are running high within three world power groups:
The UN, NATO and the EU as leaders try to deal with the Iraqi question.

Within the EU -– the five biggest member States are divided
France and Germany in opposition to Britain Italy and Spain, with complications
emerging from the Eastern Nations with Poland, the Czech Republic and Hungary,
who apparently view the US as "the more reliable guarantor of their security
than other European nations."

French President Chirac has warned 13 prospective EU States
(Eastern States) that their future membership to the Union could be threatened
due to their support of President Bush's stance with Iraq, describing the
behaviour of EU candidate countries as "dangerous and reckless". "They
missed a great opportunity to shut up," adding that their pro-American
stance could feed public hostility to EU expansion.

In reply to Chirac's statements, Prime Minister Blair said
it was Chirac who was acting recklessly not the Eastern Europeans. "I hope
that no one is suggesting that they should be anything other than full members
of the EU and fully entitled to express their views" he said.

17.03.2003 Herald "We have no illusions. We are in an
extremely difficulty international and domestic situation," said a
spokesman for Romano Prodi, president of the European Commission. "We hope
our leaders understand the gravity of the situation and the implications for the
EU"...But Chirac, just as much as Blair and Bush, has left himself very little
room for manoeuvre...Such is the frost between Blair and Chirac that Downing St
last week accused France of "poisoning" the diplomatic bloodstream
with its intransigence. To make matters worse, the British Prime Minister's
office has revealed that Blair has not accepted a crate of cognac given to him
last month by Chirac after their meeting."

So once again -– what hinders the Unification of the
European Super State is a a single, powerful voice. A "World leader".