Military

DATE=12/12/02

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

NUMBER=2-297400

TITLE=E-U SUMMIT (L)

BYLINE=ROGER WILKISON

DATELINE=COPENHAGEN

CONTENT=

INTRO: The European Union has opened a two-day summit in Copenhagen that is aimed at expanding the bloc beyond the old Iron Curtain by bringing in eight Eastern European countries and two Mediterranean islands. But, as V-O-A correspondent Roger Wilkison reports, E-U leaders are also under pressure to set a date for Turkey to begin talks on its own membership in the union.

TEXT: This is supposed to be the E-U summit that seals the reunification of Europe 13 years after the fall of the Berlin Wall. But what was intended to be a celebratory occasion has been hit by last-minute snags as Poland and some other candidates for membership seek more money, mainly for their inefficient farm sectors.

Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen, who has been leading the E-U's negotiations with the newcomers, says he has no more cash to offer them. And he says they would do well to accept the 40-billion dollar financial aid package the E-U is willing to give them for their first three years of membership. If they do not, he warns, they might jeopardize their chances of joining the union for several years.

/// RASMUSSEN ACT ///

I'll not say it's a question of now or never. But it's a question of now or postponement, for years. Maybe for many years.

/// END ACT ///

Though E-U diplomats say most of the candidate countries are ready to accept the union's offer, Poland and Malta are still holding out. Mr. Rasmussen says the E-U will not wait for those who refuse to strike a deal now. He says the holdouts may have to wait until 2007 before they join.

Still, the Danish leader is trying to put a positive spin on the E-U's expansion into what used to be communist territory.

/// 2nd RASMUSSEN ACT ///

Since 1989, a huge effort has been made in eastern and western Europe to bring us where we are today. Our task is to conclude the work and finally reunite as one Europe.

/// END ACT ///

The enlargement summit is also supposed to give Turkey a message about when it can expect to initiate talks to become an E-U member. The Turks want to begin such talks next year. France, Germany and most other E-U countries have proposed 2005 as a start date, while Britain and Italy want to give the Turks a positive message and are proposing 2004 as the limit. Mr. Rasmussen says he will come up with a compromise during the course of the summit.

President Bush is lobbying the E-U on Turkey's behalf. Mr. Rasmussen says he appreciates U-S advice but that it is strictly up to the Europeans to decide when Turkey should begin its accession talks. (Signed)

NEB/RW/KL/KBK