After Iraq—How Will Europe Get Its Act Together?

The latest Gulf War highlighted the divisions and limitations of Europe. Many Europeans want a united continent rivaling America as a superpower. Is this ever likely to happen? Bible prophecy contains some surprising answers.

by Melvin Rhodes

One year from now, in May of 2004, the European Union is set to expand from 15 member states to 25. Overnight, this will make Europe the world's biggest single market. It is already the world's greatest trading system, accounting for well over half of all the world's trade.

Yet in the latest Gulf War, Europe remained on the sidelines, impotent in the face of American power. A further loss of face was seeing one of its most significant members, the United Kingdom, standing side by side with the United States in a war many EU members opposed.

Some were supportive, though none except Britain was supportive enough to send troops. Aspiring EU member Poland sent a token force. Spain's prime minister was verbally supportive of the U.S./U.K. coalition, but the general population was so antiwar that he could not commit any forces to help the allied effort.

Certainly France was the most critical, leading an international chorus against the United States, United Kingdom and Australia, the three principal combatants invading Iraq. Almost all of Africa supported the French stance, as did most Third World nations around the world.

Although Germany and others were equally critical, France's role was highlighted as one of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council, with the right to veto any decision. Paris made it clear that no military action by the United States and Britain against Iraq would ever be supported by France.

European opposition to the Anglo-American stance actually started in Germany during the German election a few months ago. German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder made it clear that his government would never support American military action, nor would Germany allow itself to get involved. The then German justice minister even went so far as to compare President Bush to Adolf Hitler, a ridiculous comparison that showed the triumph of emotion over historical knowledge and understanding.

Read the full article at www.wnponline.org/wnp/wnp0305/index.htm

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