Cautious EU backs second resolution before war in Iraq

Europe's foreign policy chief struck a cautious note on another Gulf war yesterday, saying that military action would be hard to justify without proof that Iraq still holds weapons of mass destruction.

As the European Union increased pressure on Washington for a peaceful solution, Javier Solana, the EU's highest representative on foreign policy, said: "Without proof, it would be very difficult to start a war." Speaking in the French newspaper Le Monde, he added that, without "information deemed sufficient by the Security Council", it would be "very difficult to act".

At a meeting between members of the Greek presidency of the EU and the European Commission in Athens, pledges were made to work towards peace. A growing consensus also emerged on the need for a second UN resolution before any hostilities.

Meanwhile, the European Commission said it would help with rebuilding Iraq after any war and that it would make €15m (£9.8m) available for humanitarian aid to the region this year. Romano Prodi, the Commission's president, said: "We have contingency plans in case of war to bring in humanitarian relief."

However, a new effort was made to reinforce diplomatic efforts to avert war. The Greek Prime Minister, Costas Simitis, promised to work towards an EU position on the need for a second UN resolution.

Prospects for the second resolution were boosted by signs that Germany would agree. Some senior German figures, including Joschka Fischer, the Foreign Minister, are wary because it would force them to take a clear, and unpopular, stand.

But the Chancellor, Gerhard Schröder, told a private meeting of Social Democrats yesterday he would support calls for another resolution. An EU official said, once Germany's doubts were removed, "the EU would be absolutely and undeniably in favour of a second resolution".

In Athens, Mr Prodi said "war is not and must not be inevitable. We all have to do everything we can to find a peaceful solution. The biggest contribution we can give is to build a common position."

After a meeting on Thursday between Mr Prodi and Tony Blair, EU officials were confident that Britain would back demands for a second UN resolution.

Leading article and Fergal Keane, page 18