Old Europe, new Europe... ha, ha, ha

When the United States and Britain invaded Iraq last year, Washington tried to drive a wedge between 'old' Europe which opposed its foolish policies in the region and 'new' Europe which was more coy towards its adventure now transformed into a misadventure.

The brutal treatment of Iraqi prisoners and now the investigation of a dozen 'natural deaths' suddenly suspected to have been murders have placed the American administration on the defensive.

Add to these the hundreds of people who have lost their lives since the war was declared to be "over" by President Bush and one will immediately realise why 'new' Europe has gone into hiding - probably never to come out again.

Last year, Mr Bush racing ahead without the UN and leading a coalition of the "willing", was also chipping away at multilateralism with a jack hammer. Now he would dearly wish the UN to take over in Iraq. UN involvement is unlikely to quell the storms whipped up by his blunders.

Out of its own unfortunate experience, 'old' Europe has learned to mistrust war. Wars are not as clear-cut as many imagine. They always spring surprises, destruction and above all are prone to grow and expand despite all efforts to contain them. They never achieve their targets.

It must indeed be a welcome relief for 'new' Europe to be finally united with the 'old' one. Of course it may not be a fairy tale romance. But it is far better than a wild ride in El Paso.