FRENCH MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

September 13, 2002

Excerpt

Q - Is France participating in the drafting of a resolution on Iraq at the U.N. ?

Preparation on a draft resolution hasn't started yet. With regard to the démarche we're advocating, which Mr. de Villepin referred to yesterday in New York, we are insisting on a two-stage approach:

First, demanding the return of U.N. inspectors unimpeded, immediately and unconditionally. Eventually, as President Chirac said, we can set a definite timetable that will allow us to carefully determine our course. Then we must also assess the situation; either note that the inspectors are operating freely in Iraq, that they are doing their job to eliminate all possible weapons of mass destruction so we can begin to suspend and then end the sanctions that have caused the Iraqi people so much suffering: or else, if that is not the case, we should then decide measures to be taken, consider together the available options in the Security Council. And as you know, France excludes no option.

Consultations are beginning today and in this regard today's meeting of the P5 with the U.N. secretary-general will be very important.

Q - Is France prepared to agree to a warning to Iraq with a deadline that is not an ultimatum?

President Chirac stated his position in his interview with the New York Times. He spoke of three weeks which would clearly indicate the need for the inspectors to return.

Q - How much time will it take for the U.N. to be satisfied?

The time that is necessary; it will be up to UNMOVIC to decide on the most appropriate timetable for its mission.

Q - President Bush spoke yesterday of a series of demands he's making of Iraq to bring about regime change. In your view, will these American demands will included in the new resolution or will you limit yourselves to getting the inspectors back, to destroying weapons of mass destruction?

I refer you to the minister's remarks yesterday. France has no love for the Iraqi regime. We have clearly expressed our disapproval of the regime's attitude towards the Iraqi people themselves who have paid and are still paying a very price for Saddam Hussein's action. But we must be clear about our objective. Clear about our responsibilities. These are the inspectors return and the risk of proliferation. We do not believe at this point that we should go beyond that, quite simply because recognizing the legitimacy of regime change would likely mean unending instability on the world stage.

Q - The Danish minister said yesterday that he did not think it was necessary for the U.N. to adopt a resolution to authorize a military campaign against Iraq. Was the Danish minister speaking for Europe or for his own country? And if the former, what is your view?

I have no comment on the positions you refer to. What is important is the French position. The minister clearly re-stated this yesterday to the General Assembly.