Iraq Seeks EU Political Initiative to End War

AMMAN, Jordan — Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein called on the European Union to launch a political initiative aimed at ending the ongoing war, his ministry said Tuesday. In a phone call with Irish Foreign Minister Helen McKeeney, Hussein discussed the direct effects of the conflict on Iraq's economic and financial situation. The two ministers also addressed the war's negative repercussions on regional and international politics, energy markets and global trade, according to the ministry statement. Hussein said he had raised the idea with his Dutch counterpart and planned to continue consultations with other European foreign ministers in the coming period. Iraq aims to present the initiative at an Arab and European foreign ministers meeting scheduled to take place in Amman in June.