Only EU can hold Americans to account says Diana

12.00.00am GMT Wed 12th Nov 2003

In advance of President George Bush's visit to Britain, Euro MP Diana Wallis has called for Britain to position itself closer to Europe in regard to relations with the USA.

Diana said, "It is all very well for Tony Blair to claim that we act as a bridge to the USA, but to be a bridge the foundations must be secure on both sides. It is only by acting with the rest of the EU that a counterbalance to US influence in global affairs can be established."

She added, "There is now a long list of issues where it is only possible for the combined forces of all the EU countries to hold the Americans to account. For example, the current dispute over American steel subsidies, the failure of the US to sign the Kyoto Agreement on Climate Change or to agree to the International Criminal Court, and unilateral action by the US in demanding details of all incoming airline passengers contrary to data protection rules."