Sun, May 04, 2003
US Refuses To Clear Belgian C-130 Bringing Equipment,
Medicine
Belgium was one of the most vocal opponents to war
in the weeks leading up to the conflict in Iraq. In fact, one
American newspaper sneeringly referred to Belgium, which was
following the lead of France, Germany and Russia, the "Mini-Me" of
Europe. The war's mostly over now, but if you thought the
diplomatic tensions between the United States and the European
Union have eased, think again. Now that the focus in that
war-ravaged country is on getting humanitarian relief to Iraqis in
need, those nations originally opposed to the idea of a "regime
change" in Baghdad are finding themselves left without a flight
plan.
No Flight Until At Least Tuesday
The Belgian C-130 was full of hospital equipment, vaccines and
infant care supplies. It was supposed to have left an airbase near
Brussels on Friday. The Belgian Prime Minister, Guy Verhofstadt,
was going to be on hand for a big send-off.
No big send-off. No big airlift of supplies to Iraq. No dice.
Instead, the C-130 was grounded by America controllers covering
Iraqi airspace. The flight is now on hold until at least Tuesday.
Asked what the problem was, an unnamed EU commissioner told the
Financial Times of London , the US insisted on "major
changes to the flight plan". Why? A commission spokesman told the
Times, "I think that's a question you will have to ask the American
authorities."
"The Belgian authorities have filed a flight plan with the US
military and we are continuing to work with the Belgians on
logistical arrangements," a spokesman for the US military told the
Financial Times in Brussels.
Another EU Commissioner put it this way: "I wonder how long this
would have taken if the aid was being carried on a Royal Air Force
plane?"
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