October 2, 2003	Thursday	Sha’aban 5, 1424

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BRUSSELS, Oct 1: The European Commission on Wednesday promised 200 million euros in reconstruction aid for Iraq but warned that rebuilding efforts depended on improved security in the country.

“The security situation in Iraq obviously affects how rapidly we work on Iraq’s reconstruction,” European External Relations Commissioner Chris Patten told reporters.

“It is difficult to develop and reconstruct if bombs are going off in all directions,” he warned.

In comments ahead of a donors meeting on Iraq’s reconstruction in Madrid on Oct 24, Mr Patten said governments were also seeking a clear commitment to the establishment of a sovereign Iraqi government and wanted assistance channelled through an independent Trust Fund managed by the United Nations and the World Bank.

However, “the worrying situation should not hold us back from planning for Iraq’s political and physical reconstruction,” he insisted.

Having watched in dismay as EU governments feuded over the pros and cons of the Iraq war — and now quarrel over how quickly power should be transferred to Iraqi authorities — Mr Patten said the conference in Madrid could allow for a healing of wounds.

“Whatever the depth of division in the international community over the war, we all have a stake in a stable, open, democratic Iraq,” he insisted, adding that Madrid would also help repair damage that the Iraq crisis caused to the United Nations.

The EU external relations chief said he wanted EU governments to top up the Commission aid figure with bilateral pledges. However in a blow to such hopes, several EU governments have said they may not attend the meeting in Madrid.

Mr Patten has appealed to Iraq’s neighbours — Turkey, Syria and Iran — to take part in the Madrid meeting and play a “constructive role” in helping rebuild the country.

The Commission has denied suggestions that its aid contribution to Iraq is smaller than efforts being made to rebuild Afghanistan and as such likely to disappoint Washington.