Any action against Iraq will split Europe, writes Denis Staunton
Any United States military action against Iraq would leave Europe deeply divided, with Britain likely to support Washington and France leading the opposition to the attack. Although the EU adopted a common position in support of US action against Afghanistan, EU officials admit that there is little chance of agreeing a common position on Iraq.
Germany reacted harshly to President George W Bush's identification of an "axis of evil" comprising Iraq, Iran and North Korea.
The German foreign minister, Joschka Fischer, said that Washington's partners should not be treated as satellites, and that the international coalition against terrorism was no basis on which to attack another country.
The French foreign minister, Mr Hubert Védrine, has called for all sanctions against Iraq to be lifted, arguing that they harm civilians and achieve nothing.
Italy's Mr Silvio Berlusconi is one of Mr Bush's most devoted allies in Europe, but he wants proof of Iraqi terrorism and production of weapons of mass destruction before any action takes place.
Britain and Spain are likely to be the only EU member-states to give unequivocal support to a US strike against Iraq.
In Britain, the issue could split the Labour Party and there have been reports of divisions within the cabinet. But most political observers believe that, if Washington decides to act against Saddam Hussein, Tony Blair will stand shoulder to shoulder with Mr Bush.
Belgium's foreign minister, Louis Michel, proposed this week that the EU should send a high level mission to Baghdad in an effort to persuade Saddam to comply with United Nations resolutions and to allow weapons inspectors to return to Iraq.
Reaction to Mr Michel's suggestion has been muted but some European governments will be tempted by the opportunity to offer Mr Saddam a chance to avoid a US attack.
Ireland is traditionally among the most reluctant EU member-states where military action is concerned and diplomats say the Government will back all initiatives that could prevent war. Officials point to the fact that Iraq has been in discussions with the UN in recent weeks as evidence that Baghdad could be willing to compromise in order to avoid a US attack.
Washington's difficulty in finding support in Europe for an attack on Iraq means that the North Atlantic Treaty Alliance, is unlikely to play a major role in any campaign.
The alliance has been sidelined since September 11th last year when the US called on it for political support but ignored it during its campaign in Afghanistan, despite its role earlier in the Kosovo conflict.