Riots Dampen Welcome for New Eu Members

The dawn of Europe's historic expansion got off to a damp start yesterday when police used a water cannon to force back demonstrators trying to disrupt the celebrations for the EU's expansion to 25 member states.

Several hundred anti-globalisation protesters hurled missiles, including a petrol bomb, as they attempted to enter the historic summit in Dublin but were repulsed by gardai. Ten officers were injured and 13 people were arrested.

However, the protests did little to dent the festivities. To the strains of Beethoven's 'Ode to Joy', the official ceremony was marked by moving scenes in the spring sunshine of Dublin, which prompted outbreaks of hugging and even tears among national leaders as the 10 new members were welcomed into the family of nations.

Pat Cox, President of the European Parliament, caught the mood with a quote from the poet Seamus Heaney: 'This is a moment when hope and history rhyme.'

The reunification marked a 'homecoming' for Cyprus, Malta, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Slovenia.

However, behind closed doors, efforts were stilled continuing to thrash out the new EU constitution, which could be ratified by next month. Bertie Ahern, the Irish Prime Minister signalled that one key outstanding dispute - over whether the constitution should refer to the role of God - could now be resolved.

He said it was 'unlikely' there would be an explicit mention of God but added: 'I think Christian values will be recognised.'

The debate over religion pitted secular France against Catholic Ireland, Italy and Poland.

It has also prompted concerns that, with Muslim Turkey on the fringes of accession and the Muslim populations of many members rising, an outright commitment to Christianity sends unwelcome signals.