EU draft seeks immediate Lebanon ceasefire

[cal04]

European Union foreign ministers were set to call for an immediate ceasefire in Lebanon as they began emergency talks on the crisis on Tuesday, a draft statement obtained by Reuters showed.

The draft, circulated as ministers of the 25-nation bloc began a rare August meeting, also warned of violations of international law in the three-week-old fighting between Israel and Hizbollah guerrillas without naming one side as perpetrator.

"The (EU) Council called for an immediate ceasefire," the statement drafted by current EU president Finland said.

"Disregard for necessary precautions to avoid loss of civilian life constitutes a severe breach of international humanitarian law," it said, expressing "utmost concern" at Lebanese and Israeli civilian casualties.

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L01647927.htm

[marmar]

1. It looks like the E.U. is going to have to take leadership on this...

The U.S. certainly isn't.

[acmavm]

2. And that's probably something that the EU understands.

[cal04]

3. UK - cannot accept EU call for Lebanon ceasefire

Britain cannot accept a draft European Union statement calling for an immediate ceasefire between Israel and Lebanese Hizbollah guerrillas, a British official said on Tuesday.

Speaking as EU foreign ministers held emergency talks on the three-week-old crisis, the official said London wanted several changes to the document circulated by Finland, which holds the 25-nation bloc's rotating presidency.

"As it stands, there is no way we can accept this conclusion," he said, speaking on condition of anonymity. Diplomats said Britain, Germany, the Czech Republic and Poland wanted alternative wording urging a cessation of hostilities.

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L01916490.htm

[Laotra]

4. Of course

Fuck Britain, Germany, the Czech Republic and Poland.

And Finland should be demanding economic sanctions against Israel plus breaking the naval blockade of Lebanon, not just pretty words.

[cal04]

5. BBC on top scroll: Officials deny Britain rejects

EU draft
http://news.bbc.co.uk/