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(AP)

18 February 2005



BRUSSELS - The European Union - narrowing the gap with Washington over Iraq - will open a Baghdad office to run a democracy-building program that will train hundreds of Iraqi judges and prosecutors, sources said on Friday.


They said the EU foreign ministers will announce the measure Monday, one day before US President George W. Bush holds a hectic day of negotiations with European leaders at both the NATO and European Union head offices.

The EU plans to train more than 700 judges, prosecutors and prison guards outside Iraq. It will make available Ð2.34 million (US$3 million) to provide security for the Baghdad office that will recruit Iraqis.

The office itself will be provided by Britain and have a staff of about five.

Officials said the Baghdad office - the first EU representation in Iraq since the war - reflected Europe’s willingness to take on a more active rebuilding role.

After two years of divisions over the Iraq war, European diplomats said the Bush visit next week will open a new chapter in trans-Atlantic relationship.

In an off-the-record briefing with journalists Friday, one EU diplomat said the rebuilding and stabilization of Iraq was a common challenge for the United States and Europe.

The EU has remained aloof from Iraq due to opposition to the 2003 war, notably in France and Germany.

Last year, the NATO alliance became more active in Iraq by agreeing to help train Iraqi forces outside the country. NATO has 100 military personnel involved in that training mission,


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