THE G7 leaders yesterday papered over a rift between the US and Europe on how to tackle alleged sponsor states of international terrorism, such as Iran.
The issue was brushed aside as the foreign and security ministers of the Group of Seven (G7) richest states announced a package of counter terrorist measures.
Mr Peter Tarnoff, Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs, made only a veiled reference to US President Bill Clinton's overt weekend warning about Iran, Iraq, Libya and Sudan.
"I have no doubt that the spirit of the measures taken here will deliver a strong message not only to terrorists but also the countries that harbour terrorists around the world," he said.
The row over whether sanctions are a legitimate weapon to isolate such states had threatened to poison the atmosphere at the one day conference of foreign and security ministers.
On Sunday US President Bill Clinton urged the international community to slap "strong sanctions" on countries engaging in or supporting terrorism, naming Iran, Iraq, Libya and Sudan.
Europe has made no bones about its opposition to US draft legislation, the so called Amato Kennedy bill, penalising foreign companies dealing with Iran and Libya.
The French Interior Minister, Mr Jean Louis Debre, had said before the meeting that Washington's plea for sanctions and views on foreign sponsoring of terrorism "is a little simplistic and overtaken by developments".
"The US position reduces terrorism to the work of certain states," he said. "In reality, I believe things are a bit more complex." Mr Debre described state sponsored terrorism as one of four forms of political violence, saying the other three were inspired by social, religious or regional problems.
But the British Foreign Secretary, Mr Malcolm Rifkind, played down the issue from the start. "This is not on today's agenda. The agenda is about methods to combat terrorism," he said as he arrived.
Mr Rifkind said Britain wanted better enforcement of sanctions against Libya and was concerned about Iran's possible role in sponsoring acts of political violence.
He also stressed it was necessary "to ensure that terrorists have no refuge place" in other countries. But the issue of sanctions raised by Mr Clinton, he said, "is quite separate from the issue of terrorism" being discussed.
A French foreign ministry official stressed that "no differences have so far appeared" between the United States and other delegations.