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STATEMENT BY THE SPOKESPERSON
FRENCH MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
January 29, 2003
Excerpts
Q - Do you have any reaction to Tarik Aziz's threats this week to attack Kuwait should an American attack against Iraq originate from there?
Naturally, we condemn this sort of remark. During his recent trip to Kuwait, Mr. Muselier reaffirmed France's solidarity with Kuwait at the highest level.
Q - In such a case, would it be possible to join a coalition against Iraq at the last minute, without a long period of prior coordination?
We do not have such a situation; we are in a period of inspections and that is what we are focusing on.
(…)
Q - Does France want to take part in the reconstruction of Iraq, that is, in a long-term political resolution in the Mideast and the Gulf?
As the minister said this morning, France's presence, like that of the international community, will clearly be inevitable.
It's not a matter of wishing, it's a point of fact.
Q - How does France intend to achieve peace, especially if it keeps its distance from the conflict?
Achieving peace does not necessarily require going to war. It is the aim we are striving for with all of our partners, notably in the Security Council.