France, Germany, Russia to Nix War Vote
'French, German, Russian foreign ministers said Wednesday at a news conference in Paris that they will "not allow" passage of a U.N. resolution to authorize war against Iraq. "We will not allow a resolution to pass that authorizes resorting to force," French Foreign Minister Dominique de Villepin said. "Russian and France, as permanent members of the Security Council, will assume their full responsibilities on this point." When asked whether France would use its veto, as Russia has suggested it might do, de Villepin said, "We will take all our responsibilities. We are in total agreement with the Russians." On Tuesday, Ivanov suggested Russia could veto a new U.S.-backed resolution seen as paving the way to war in Iraq. Ivanov also said his country was unlikely to abstain in any Security Council vote on Iraq. On Tuesday, Ivanov was quoted as saying by the British Broadcasting Corp. that "Russia will not support any decision that would directly or indirectly open the way to war with Iraq." '

This is the most direct and unequivocal statement yet by 'old europe'. Given that the war is almost certain to go ahead anyway this can only be interpreted as an historic, deliberate and considered decision to challenge America's plans for world hegemony. Indirectly it is also a challenge to 'new europe' (including the UK, Spain, Italy and Eastern Europe) that it cannot sit in both camps.

France, Germany, Russia to Nix War Vote
'French, German, Russian foreign ministers said Wednesday at a news conference in Paris that they will "not allow" passage of a U.N. resolution to authorize war against Iraq. "We will not allow a resolution to pass that authorizes resorting to force," French Foreign Minister Dominique de Villepin said. "Russian and France, as permanent members of the Security Council, will assume their full responsibilities on this point." When asked whether France would use its veto, as Russia has suggested it might do, de Villepin said, "We will take all our responsibilities. We are in total agreement with the Russians." On Tuesday, Ivanov suggested Russia could veto a new U.S.-backed resolution seen as paving the way to war in Iraq. Ivanov also said his country was unlikely to abstain in any Security Council vote on Iraq. On Tuesday, Ivanov was quoted as saying by the British Broadcasting Corp. that "Russia will not support any decision that would directly or indirectly open the way to war with Iraq." '

This is the most direct and unequivocal statement yet by 'old europe'. Given that the war is almost certain to go ahead anyway this can only be interpreted as an historic, deliberate and considered decision to challenge America's plans for world hegemony. Indirectly it is also a challenge to 'new europe' (including the UK, Spain, Italy and Eastern Europe) that it cannot sit in both camps.