Blair, Chirac Agree on Peacekeepers (EU Rapid Reaction, Threat to Nato)

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http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,1280,-3425915,00.html



LONDON (AP) - Striving to show unity on the
sensitive issue of European defense, British Prime
Minister Tony Blair and French President Jacques
Chirac agreed on plans Monday for a small
rapid-reaction force of European peacekeepers to
assist United Nations troops.

The two leaders, holding a bridge-building summit
after a rocky year of division over Iraq, said the
EU should develop the capability to dispatch a
1,500-strong force within 15 days to respond to
a crisis.

``They would be deployed in response to a U.N.
request to stabilize a situation or otherwise meet
a short-term need until peacekeepers from the
United Nations or regional organizations acting
under a U.N. mandate could arrive or be
reinforced,'' a communique said.

Emerging from several hours of talks at Blair's 10
Downing Street office, the two leaders underlined
their commitment to strengthening military
cooperation in Europe.