Diplomats said there was widespread dismay in European capitals yesterday after President George W. Bush backed Israeli plans to keep parts of the West Bank and dismissed the right of Palestinian refugees to return to what is now Israel.
But the Union was still attempting to single out the positive aspects of President Bush's initiative, which included endorsement of a unilateral pullout by Israel from the Gaza Strip, hailing it as a chance to revive the moribund peace process.
"There is not necessarily the appetite for a clash either between the EU and the US or within the EU after last year's bust-up over the Iraq war," said one diplomat.
"Whatever people think privately about Bush's Middle East position, they will try to seize on any positives," he said, referring to the foreign ministers' meeting today and tomorrow in Tullamore.
Nevertheless, the ministers were expected to take a firm stand on key principles laid down by the EU, which is one of the partners in the quartet that stands behind the "road map" peace plan with the US, Russia and the UN.
These are that no border changes can be forced on the Palestinians and any settlement must be negotiated.
"You cannot wish away one of the partners. There is a conflict because there are two parties," said one EU official, adding that there would be calls in Ireland for a high-level meeting of the quartet to get the Palestinians re-engaged.
President Jacques Chirac of France rejected any unilateral moves to change borders in the Middle East. "I have reservations about the unilateral, bilateral questioning of international law," he said. Such moves would set an "unfortunate and dangerous precedent."
Palestinians are trying to rally the world against President Bush's decision to break with US and international policy.
The European Union was yesterday avoiding direct criticism of President Bush but said any border changes should be agreed with the Palestinians, and any Israeli-Palestinian peace deal should include a fair and just deal for refugees. - (Reuters)