America Strikes Back

[Archangel]

EU vows to 'spare no efforts' to help U.S.

BRUSSELS, Belgium (AP) — Declaring a day of mourning for victims of the terrorist attacks in the United States, the European Union pledged Wednesday to "spare no efforts" to help U.S. authorities bring those responsible to justice. After meeting in special session, EU foreign ministers issued a declaration asking "all Europeans to observe three minutes of silence" Friday at 6 a.m. ET. "We also declare Sept. 14, 2001, a day of mourning" across the 15-nation EU, the declaration said. "We were all victims of this attack," Belgian Foreign Minister Louis Michel said at a news conference. The declaration added that the EU "will spare no efforts to help identify, bring to justice and punish those responsible: There will be no safe haven for terrorists and their sponsors. "The Union will work closely with the United States and all partners to combat international terrorism."

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The ministers called the special session to show, above all, solidarity with the United States and debate improvements in security at public buildings and airports in Europe, officials said.

British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw called Tuesday's atrocities "an attack on all of us, an attack on freedom and democracy, on civilization and on humanity."

German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer spoke of a "barbaric crime" and "an attack on all open societies."

EU Commission President Romano Prodi, referring to two world wars in Europe, said that "in the darkest hours of European history, America stood close with us, today we stand close by America."

The most immediate and practical offer of help came from the European Central Bank. It said it stood ready to defend the value of the dollar by intervening on money markets.

There was no immediate need. The U.S. dollar rose against other major currencies in European trading Wednesday morning with the euro at $0.9030, down from $0.9066 on Tuesday.

Belgian Finance Minister Didier Reynders, whose country holds the EU presidency, said the terrorist attacks will have a "limited impact" on the EU economy, though he doubted the EU can stick to its forecast of a 2% economic growth rate this year.

On behalf of the EU finance ministers, he told reporters, "All measures will be taken to ensure the proper functioning of markets and the stability of the financial system."

EU foreign and security chief Javier Solana rallied moral and other support for the United States in telephone conversations with Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat and other Arab leaders.

NATO Secretary-general Lord Robertson attended the EU meeting and said on arrival, "We have to make clear to the world that (the EU and NATO) stand together. We are two organizations that speak with one voice, one strong voice."

Earlier, Robertson chaired a special meeting of the ambassadors of the 19 alliance member states. At the EU and NATO complexes, flags flew at half-staff.

Officials said the EU foreign ministers discussed improved security at public facilities, notably airports, to enhance safety, not only in Europe, but elsewhere, too.


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Copyright 2001 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.


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