European Union foreign ministers, seeking to seize the Middle East peace initiative as Washington kept a low profile, held an urgent meeting in Luxembourg to search for a solution to the crisis. The hastily-called dinner meeting was due to discuss an EU buffer force between Israelis and Palestinians, a high-level delegation to the region and a mission by the UN Human Rights Commission, according to ministers commenting as they arrived. French Foreign Minister Hubert Vedrine told reporters before the meeting he wanted it to formulate a "more decisive EU stand" on the Middle East. "We must speak with a firmer voice," he said.
Good move. So far they've made it to a strident voice. Is that the same thing as firm? |