Spot the differences


On Sunday, George Bush arrives in Europe, seeking to build bridges after the Iraq conflict. But despite the charm offensive, several other issues divide the US and Europeans. Mark Tran explains


Iran

Britain, France and Germany are attempting to rein in Iran's supposed nuclear ambitions through negotiation. Discussions between the three European countries and Tehran ended last week, and further talks are planned.
The US and Israel are sceptical that such talks will bear fruit - but, in contrast to more mixed signals from Washington, the UK has ruled out the use of force. While Europe favours jaw-jaw, relations between the US and Iran are in a downward spiral. Iran, which has accused the US of flying spy drones over its nuclear sites, has formed a mutual self-defence pact with Syria.


Climate change

The US refuses to abide by the Kyoto protocol on curbing the greenhouse gases that cause global warming. The pact came into effect this week, and all the EU countries have ratified it. Apart from the US, the only other countries with mature economies not signing up to Kyoto are Australia and Monaco.

The US, which generates around a quarter of the world's greenhouse gas pollution, maintains that abiding by Kyoto would damage its economic growth. Again, the UK is with Europe on this one, and not with the US. Tony Blair said last weekend that he would do his "damnedest" to bring the world's biggest polluter on board.


Nato

The German chancellor, Gerhard Schröder, last week confounded the US when he said Nato was "no longer the primary venue where transatlantic partners discuss and coordinate strategies" on areas such as Iraq. Mr Schröder called for a rethink of the 56-year old alliance, and a broadening of Europe's dialogue with Washington.

However, the US sees no need for any big changes in an organisation in which it is the dominant military partner, and which has served its members well in the past.


Arms for China

The US is stewing over the EU's decision to lift an arms embargo imposed in 1989 after the brutal suppression of pro-democracy demonstrations in Tiannamen square.

Washington argues that EU sales would allow China to upgrade weapons it could use against Taiwan, and fears a worst case scenario in which US forces could come under fire from European weapons if America defends Taiwan.

US senators have warned that they might introduce legislation blocking military cooperation with European allies. The EU says ending the embargo is part of an attempt to reintegrate China into the international community.


International criminal court

The US refuses to recognise the ICC on the grounds that its officials and military personnel could end up in front of the court, which was created to deal with genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity.

The court would be the natural venue to hear about alleged crimes against humanity occurring in Darfur, Sudan. But in its desire to deny any legitimacy to the ICC, the US has been lobbying for the Darfur atrocities to be referred anywhere but the international criminal court.

Apparently, it has suggested that Darfur could be brought under the remit of the existing UN tribunal for the genocide in Rwanda or else come under a new tribunal altogether.


Aid

The chancellor, Gordon Brown, is pushing strongly for an international finance facility (IFF) that would double global aid to $100m (£52.8m) through the sale of bonds on international markets. No way, says the US.

As the US treasury undersecretary, John Taylor, said dismissively in early February: "Not only does the IFF not work for the United States, we don't need the IFF." Mr Taylor also said he was "not convinced" by Mr Brown's other proposal - that the International Monetary Fund revalue some of its huge gold reserves to today's prices as a way of allowing some poor countries' debts to be written off its balance sheet.


Guardian Unlimited, 18-02-2005

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