It's been said that the EU's Javier Solana is a squarer of circles. Well, it appears that's what he's doing in this report -- he's squaring circles Read about it here. Here's what I mean:

Regarding the differences of opinion created between the EU and US over the Iraqi war, Solana said:

We are overcoming a period ... linked to Iraq that has had some tension between the Europeans and Americans. This is over. What we have to do is look to the future.

Concerning German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder's unexpected call for an overhaul of NATO, Solana said:

I don't think anybody should be worried about that. This is an initiative that goes in the direction of making more effective the trans-Atlantic relationship.

About US' concerns over the EU lifting its arms embargo against China, Solana said:

The question of the arms embargo should be considered as a political decision, not a military decision.

Then Solana went on to assure that the EU's code of conduct would limit the arms sales even if the embargo was dropped.

Finally, Solana encouraged the US to back the EU's diplomatic efforts to talk Iran into dropping its nuclear weapons program Why? Because, according to Solana -- and thanks to Solana -- the EU has diplomatic relations with Iran and the US doesn't.

All this before NATO's annual summit in Munich on the 22nd of this month. As you may know, President George W. Bush is going to be there -- along with everybody who is anybody in allied circles. And, if all goes well, Solana's agenda should fit right in.

He's a squarer of circles.