STATEMENT BY THE SPOKESPERSON

FRANCE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

July 17, 2002

Excerpt

. . .

I also wish to recall the statement the spokesman made last night after Mr. de Villepin's meeting with Mr. Blix:

The minister received today, July 16, the executive chairman of the United Nations Monitoring, Verification and Inspection Commission (UNMOVIC) who briefed him on the discussions conducted by the U.N. secretary-general with Iraq in Vienna on July 4 and 5.

Mr. de Villepin, for his part, gave Mr. Blix his analysis of the situation and our expectations after his recent meetings in the Middle East, Moscow and Washington.

The minister recalled that he is encouraging the dialogue between the Secretariat and Iraq on the immediate return of the inspectors, without hindrance. Their return is an essential priority, and Iraq would be well advised to accept this without delay.