Click here for more information.
STATEMENT BY THE DEPUTY SPOKESPERSON
FRANCE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
September 4, 2002
Excerpts
Q - Several European countries including France and the Netherlands would like the EU to adopt a common stance on the Iraqi crisis. Do you think Tony Blair's accusations against the regime of Saddam Hussein can contribute to that?
Let me remind you that in Elsinore, as the minister stressed during his press conference, the Fifteen took a common approach to Iraq. We intend to continue working with our partners in this direction.
Q - Since the withdrawal of UN inspectors, have French authorities obtained concrete evidence from their intelligence services or those of its allies of the existence or reconstruction of weapons of mass destruction in Iraq?
Since the departure of the inspectors in 1998, it is by definition more difficult to answer this question. That is precisely why, given our concern for security and regional stability, as well as our determination to confront the risk of the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, we have consistently demanded the swift return of UN inspectors to Iraq, without preconditions and without obstacles.
Q - Might France at some point make public what it knows about the weapons of mass destruction that Iraq possesses?
As you know, some information is confidential and we prefer to keep it that way.
Q - What is the status of contacts with Iraq on the possible visit of an Iraqi delegation to France?
I have nothing new to offer since yesterday.