Leaders deny war on terror rift

STOCKHOLM, Sweden -- An international conference of government leaders has reaffirmed the commitment to the war against terror and said there is no rift between the United States and its Western allies.

"We are all in it together and we intend to do it in the future in the same way. Terrorism is something that is very serious and it is not over yet," Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien told a news conference.

"Many of us are in Afghanistan at this time, and there will be consultations in the future about any other activities.

"That is the view that was expressed by everybody (at the meeting). There is no confrontation with the Americans...We want to work with them and we have the same goals."

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But French Prime Minister Lionel Jospin and Brazilian President Fernando Henrique Cardoso voiced concerns about the U.S. unilateral approach to foreign policy, officials said.

President George W. Bush's State of the Union speech last month, in which he described Iraq, Iran and North Korea as an "axis of evil," has sparked criticism internationally and raised renewed fears about U.S. military intervention elsewhere.

Jospin said the military campaign in Afghanistan had been "completely legitimate" but said international security should not be restricted to a military approach.

"We expressed the wish that they (the United States) be with us, that we cooperate with them. It is vital that we have international cooperation with them," Jospin said.

New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark said: "The post-September 11 environment requires not just a military response but much broader international cooperation.

"If our neighbours are poor, we are impoverished as well."

The leaders are among delegates to the left of centre Progressive Governments Group meeting in the Swedish capital, Stockholm.

The heads of 11 government from five continents renewed a call for the international coalition against terror to be used for humanitarian as well as military ends.

British Prime Minister Tony Blair said the U.S.-led coalition formed in the wake of September 11 remains strong.

"The alliance with the United States is strong, it will remain strong," he said. "We will deal with issues together."

Blair repeated his praise for the way the Bush administration reacted to September 11, saying there had been "full consultation at every stage."

He added: "The Americans are absolutely right to emphasise the continuing importance of the war against terrorism and continuing the elimination of weapons of mass destruction."

Earlier, the leaders of Germany, France and the UK held talks on the future of Europe.

Blair met with Jospin and German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder on preparations for the forthcoming European Union Summit in Barcelona and the future of the EU.

Britain wants to see increased use of qualified majority voting to help the EU function more effectively as it expands to include Eastern European countries.