Military

DATE=10/29/01

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=E-U / AFGHANISTAN (L-ONLY)

NUMBER=2-282453

BYLINE=DOUGLAS BAKSHIAN

DATELINE=LUXEMBOURG

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

/// EDS: THIS IS A RE-ISSUE OF CR 2-282414 (10/29) with update in second graf to accompany tape ///

INTRO: European Union foreign ministers are focusing diplomatic efforts on the future of Afghanistan, as U-S air-strikes against terrorist targets there go into a fourth week. Douglas Bakshian reports on a ministers' meeting held in Luxembourg city.

TEXT: Belgian Foreign Minster Louis Michel, whose country holds the rotating Presidency of the E-U, will hold talks with Central Asian leaders about the post-Taliban era and about new channels for humanitarian aid to Afghanistan.

Mr. Michel left Tuesday for Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and Tajikistan -- nations that have supported the U-S-led military effort against Osama bin Laden and his al Qaida network, the prime suspects in the September 11th attacks on U-S cities.

Javier Solana, the E-U's chief of foreign and security policy, briefed the 15 foreign ministers on the situation in Central Asia, outlining areas in which the E-U could help, including fighting drug trafficking and beefing up

border controls as part of the war against terrorism.

He acknowledged that E-U interests are relatively small, be he said the organization will examine ways to help these countries economically, because terrorism can find fertile ground in poverty.

As the military campaign against targets in Afghanistan enters its fourth week, Portuguese Foreign Minister Jaime Gama says both humanitarian and political fronts are important as well.

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It seems to me that there is the need for military results, also the need of political results, and a need for effectiveness regarding humanitarian support. But it has been forecast since the starting that it would not be a

short type of operation.

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E-U leaders have declared total solidarity with the United States, but diplomats say there is some unease about civilian deaths and the worsening humanitarian situation.

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The E-U foreign ministers also reviewed the situation in the Balkans, where they are supporting reconstruction and aid, and signed a stabilization and association accord with Croatia.

The E-U has allocated more than 50-million dollars this year in financial assistance for Croatia. Another 170 million dollars is planned for the period from 2002-to-2004. This is the second stabilization pact between the

E-U and a Balkans nation. The first was signed with Macedonia earlier this year. (Signed)

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