ASIA TIMES : The fragile Euro-US 'alliance' on Iran

[tocqueville]

<snip>

"My biggest concern is that this impasse will drive some policymakers in the United States to adopt the view pushed by neo-conservatives - that is, to try to destabilize Iran by supporting internal rebellions among different ethnic, religious and political factions," he concluded. "This would be disastrous, leading to still further balkanization in the region, more conflict, and more bloodshed."

Other observers note that Europe should not be viewed as a monolithic block, even if there has been widespread consensus in support of the EU-3 negotiating efforts. Not only are there opposing political currents among states on the continent, there are competing agendas within individual countries.

According to Jean Brincmont, a Belgian theoretical physicist and author of Imperialisme Humanitaire (2005), "There is a struggle in Europe between pro and anti-US opinions."

Further, many countries, such as France, have shown a strong willingness to go it alone in their foreign policies, which was seen in President Jacques Chirac's recent declarations about changes in his country's nuclear posture. Citing the example of the pro-US and enormously influential French Interior Minister Nicolas Sarcozy, Brincmont argued that "France may sometimes be divided over issues like Iran, but it is by no means subservient to US positions".

http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Middle_East/HC16Ak01.html

[AlamoDemoc]

1. I hope next generation Europeans see thinks differently n/t