STATEMENT BY THE SPOKESPERSON

FRANCE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

July 19, 2002

Excerpts

Q - Will the question of Iraq be taken up in Brussels on Monday?

It's not on the agenda. However it can't be ruled out; ministers may decide to talk about it but in principle, it's not scheduled.

Q - Do you know anything about the meetings with Mr. Blix?

It was an interesting meeting allowing us to review progress and preparations for UNMOVIC with regard to its mission, and also to re-state the high priority we give to the inspectors' return without hindrance, in the conditions set by the Security Council.

Q - Reading between the lines, will UNMOVIC be better than UNSCOM?

That is indeed one of the elements in our position. It's well-known and not necessary to repeat it every time because the main thing today is the inspectors' return.

We made the point at the time that it was important for UNMOVIC not to repeat certain UNSCOM errors and that the way the missions functioned had to be improved. That's still true, it's not new and doesn't need to be repeated each time.