Click here for more information.
STATEMENT BY THE SPOKESPERSON
FRANCE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
October 1, 2002
Excerpts
Mr. de Villepin said yesterday that the work in the Security Council and the discussions in Vienna were taking place in parallel with frequent trips back and forth. In his article in Le Monde yesterday, the minister said that a resolution was not essential, from a technical and legal point of view, for the inspectors to return. But he also said in his article that it was important to agree on an inspection regime in the Security Council guaranteeing that the inspectors could carry out their mission in full without being hindered.
. . .
Consultations about a number of elements are beginning in New York among the Security Council members. The U.S. and Britain will be sharing their ideas with us. We will be presenting our points of view based on the analyses repeated yesterday by the minister, and our other partners also. We are going to maintain very close contacts throughout this period between the various authorities and the various Security Council members. We're going to work very intensively.
. . .
Q - Has Mr. Blix specifically asked for France to send French observers and inspectors? How many can France send?
There are eight pre-selected French inspectors at this time.
Q - If however the Americans politically say no to the inspectors' return, can their mission begin or not if there's an agreement in Vienna?
I replied implicitly when I said that Mr. Blix and Mr. El Baradei are doing their job; they must see their work through to the end. It's up to them to decide, according to the directions received from the Security Council.