A rchive Date
[ 07-09-2003 ]
Category
[ International Relations ]
sub-Categoy
[ France ]
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[http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/World/2003/09/05/177035-ap.html
France plans to help in Iraq
Fri, September 5, 2003
PARIS (AP) - France intends "absolutely" to co-operate with the United States to find consensus on a proposed UN resolution on Iraq, the foreign minister said in an interview published Friday.
Foreign Minister Dominique de Villepin, a leading critic of the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq, was quoted as saying by Le Figaro newspaper that the American proposal was a step "in the right direction."
"We're entering this new stage in a constructive and open spirit," de Villepin said. "The American proposal is testimony to a greater willingness to join the framework of the United Nations."
The United States is proposing a Security Council resolution that would create a multinational force in Iraq with a unified UN command under an American commander. Washington is eager to encourage allies to contribute troops to the forces now in Iraq.
But France and Germany, two opponents to the war, said on Thursday the proposal does not go far enough to transfer political power to the Iraqis, though they were eager to work with the United States to find compromise.
In the Le Figaro interview, De Villepin reiterated that position.
The U.S. proposal "does not sufficiently take into account the political necessity of quickly giving sovereignty back to Iraq and transferring executive power to its institutions," he said.
Still, de Villepin - whose government's strong stance against the U.S.-led invasion angered Washington - was adamant that Paris was ready to work with the United States.
"Absolutely," he said when asked about co-operation with Washington. "We will make proposals, together with our partners on the Security Council."
 World Fact Book (CIA)]
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