The European Union, in a significant shift toward United States thinking, said Monday the use of force might be necessary where diplomacy failed to address threats from weapons of mass destruction. EU foreign ministers endorsed a strategy to combat the spread of nuclear, biological and chemical weapons that for the first time included a reference to possible military action against states or terrorist groups that acquired such arms. “When these measures (including political dialogue and diplomatic pressure) have failed, coercive measures under Chapter VII of the U.N. Charter and international law (sanctions, selective or global, interceptions of shipments and, as appropriate, the use of force) could be envisioned,” it said. The strategy, coupled with an action plan giving the fight against weapons of mass destruction priority in the EU’s relations with third countries, was adopted on the day the 15-nation bloc was reviewing ties with Iran in the light of its suspect nuclear program. Full Story
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