European Union foreign ministers have attempted to play down differences over a possible US military attack on Iraq. And they are expected to postpone a confrontation with Washington over the International Criminal Court (ICC), which the US wants to prevent from prosecuting its soldiers.
The ministers, who are meeting in Hamlet's castle in Elsinore, will discuss Iraq and the ICC today, but they will not make a formal, joint statement. Most member-states oppose US military action against Iraq without a UN mandate. Some, including Germany, have said they would not assist any attack even if it had UN approval.
The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Cowen, said any decision on military action against Iraq was a matter for the UN Security Council. And he reacted cautiously to a British proposal to set a deadline for Baghdad to admit UN weapons inspectors.
"If a deadline is to be set, it should be within the context of the United Nations," he said.
The ministers will discuss a proposal by the Danish Presidency for an EU initiative on the Middle East that envisages the creation of a Palestinian state by 2005. In the meantime, the Palestinians would recognise the state of Israel, reform their autonomous institutions and elect a new Palestinian Authority.
The EU wants an international peace conference on the Middle East before the end of this year.
The US has responded coolly to the Danish initiative, which contains little that was not already proposed in other peace plans.
Anxious to avoid a high-profile confrontation with the US before the anniversary of last year's terrorist attacks on September 11th, the ministers are expected to play down the dispute over the ICC. Based in The Hague, the court is mandated to try individuals suspected of war crimes, genocide and other major human rights abuses.
Washington is seeking to conclude bilateral agreements with other countries that would guarantee immunity from prosecution for US soldiers.
The European Commission argues that such agreements are incompatible with membership of the court, a position that commands the support of most member-states.
But Britain is considering a compromise that would allow such agreements.
Sweden's Foreign Minister Ms Anna Lindh said she hoped the EU would adopt a common front in resisting US pressure.
"I do not condemn Great Britain for debating different possible compromises. However, I would not appreciate it if Britain made its own agreement with the United States. The important thing is that the EU stick together," she said.