Exclusive interview of Spanish Ambassador

Coalition rule on Iraq should be temporary, short: Spain Europe’s division on Iraq transitory; not to affect EU enlargement process

Columnist Ansar Mahmood Bhatti interviews HE Antonio Segura Moris.

This correspondent had a meeting with Mr. Antonio Segura Moris, the Ambassador of Spain to Pakistan. Lawyer by profession, Mr. Moris has precise grip over the international as well as European Union affairs. He talked exclusively about the ongoing Iraq crisis.
Mr. Antonio Segura Moris has served on a number of key positions in various countries. This is his third Ambassadorial assignment. He has been Spanish Ambassador to Indonesia and Republic of Singapore.

Here are excerpts from his interview.

1: What were the considerations that Spain decided to side with UK and US in war against Iraq?
Well, the question should be correctly asked. It is not “siding with UK and US in war against Iraq”, it is to be in favour of the use of force against Iraq.
Spain considered that, after three UN resolutions, that is to say, three formal requirements from the International Community to Iraq to disarm itself, which had been systematically disobeyed, resolution 1441 was the last chance and, should Iraq not to comply, the use of force was the only way. Having at home a version of the terrorist scourge as ETA is, we are particularly sensitive to regimes like Saddam Hussein’s producing and storing weapons of mass destruction that can fall into the hands of terrorist groups.

2: Commentators say, world is now heading towards unipolarism. Do you corroborate to the idea?
Not necessarily.
Those commentators are too influenced by present-day impressions and their attitude is not the result of a mature reflection. Nor is it taken with the necessary distance, both temporary and emotional, to be really worth to take into consideration.
The passage of time will tell us if this is true or not. I personally think that unipolarism is unrealistic because the world is not homogeneous and, out of these differences, bi or multipolarism spontaneously comes. It is not all a matter of military might. And, in turn, military might is not everlasting-.

3: Europe has always wished for cordial trans-Atlantic relations. Can these relations still be maintained?
Of course, they can.
We should not attach an excessive importance to the present situation due to the attack on Iraq. Trans-Atlantic relations are indeed very strong, deeply anchored in history and in the conviction of sharing the same philosophical principles and cultural legacy which goes far beyond a temporary – and partial – disagreement. Not all Europe is against America in this particular juncture.

4: How would you comment on UN’s role on the Iraq issue? Some say UN has lost its vitality and credibility. Is that true?
Not at all.
The fact that the UNSC has failed to reach an agreement on the Iraq issue does not necessarily mean the end of the UN and the proof is that the USA, the UK, Spain – not to mention the rest of the UN member countries – keep insisting these days on the importance of making the UN an essential factor in post-Saddam Hussein Iraq. It is a matter of will and everybody in the international community is willing to preserve the UN.

5: The Americans have hinted at establishment of a government under the supervision of General Tommy Franks after the overthrow of Saddam regime. How do you see this development?
First of all, we should wait and see. In any case such a measure should only be a temporary solution and a short one.
Do you remember that General Douglas Mac Arthur was Chief of the Allied Forces of Occupation in Japan from 1945 until 28-4-1952?
An impartial and rigorous judgement should not lead us to evaluate situations according to our personal likes and dislikes.

6: Europe seems to have been divided on the Iraq issue. As a leading EU country, what are your concerns in this regard especially when the EU enlargement is in final stages?
Again, it is a family dispute.
The solidity of the European construction lies precisely in the fact that since 1957 every step made towards unity has been taken slowly but steadily. No step was taken that was not firmly grounded.
The present division over Iraq shows which is the present state of the Union’s soundness. We are where we are in the process. Nothing to worry about. As for the candidate members, this does not affect them.

7. What is the future of EU’s common foreign and security policy at this particular juncture when whole of Europe stands divided?
Once events regain their normal pace, the EU’s common and security policy will resume its activities. We should not forget that the uniqueness of the European Union’s experience on its way to unity lies, among other things, in the fact that there is no path to tread on. The path is made by walking.