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STATEMENT BY THE SPOKESPERSON
FRANCE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
November 19, 2002
Q - Do you think U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld's criticism of the U.N. and Secretary-General Kofi Annan is going to help the inspectors who have been sent to Iraq by the international community?
I noted that the defense secretary said the Security Council was the center of gravity in the matter of Iraq.
The important thing for us today is the implementation of resolution 1441 in order to achieve the peaceful disarmament of Iraq under the authority of the Security Council and according to the mandate given to the head of UNMOVIC and the IAEA. That is the real objective which all our efforts are focused on today.
Q - Do you have any initial reaction to the preliminary work by Hans Blix and Mohammed El Abrade in Iraq?
We have taken note of the first comments by the head of UNMOVIC after his initial contacts in Iraq. Mr. Blix and Mr. El Baradei are in Cyprus today to report on the start of their mission. So we will be in a position to make pertinent comments later.
Q - There seems to be some confusion about the no-fly zones patrolled by Britain and the U.S. Could you give us the French interpretation of these zones and do you think they are linked to resolution 1441?
At this time the main thing is to implement resolution 1441. This clearly establishes a two-stage approach. It is up to M. Blix and Mr. El Baradei to refer to the Council any breaches by Iraq in its obligations regarding non-proliferation and disarmament. The Council will take a decision on that basis.
Moreover, at this time any action by Iraq liable to exacerbate tension should be avoided. We urge Iraq to fully accept the choice of cooperation.
Q - But do you consider the flights over Iraqi territory by U.S. and British aircraft a legal action that comes within the démarches of the U.N.?
Our position has not changed on that. May I remind you that France took part in operations implementing the no-fly zone until 1998 when it suspended its participation.
Q - If I've understood correctly, France does not agree with the U.S. in considering that action by Iraqi air defenses puts Iraq in a state of material breach?
The main thing is that we are working together. I repeat that we call on Iraq to fully accept the choice of cooperation.
Q - Does France consider that Iraq is in material breach of resolution 1441 or not when its air defenses fire on U.S. and British aircraft?
That's a hypothetical question. In resolution 1441, we have an element that is not hypothetical; it is for Mr. Blix and Mr. El Baradei to report to the Council Iraqi violations of resolution 1441, that's all.
Q - You've urged the Iraqis not to take actions that might exacerbate the tension. Don't you think it would be useful also to invite the Americans to stop patrolling in the no-fly zone since you contest the legality or legitimacy?
We've not contested it. We said after 1998 that we failed to understand the purpose of these operations. That's all.
Q - France has made a practice of calling itself legalistic and supporting the positions of the U.N. and Kofi Annan. Mr. Annan has just said that invoking resolution 1441 in regard to patrols in the no-fly zone is wrong. Do you have any comment?
In general France always supports the U.N. secretary-general in his action. I have no doubt that that is the case again here.
Q - Yes, but what he says means that resolution 1441 cannot be invoked here...
Mr. Annan is certainly the person best placed to make that kind of interpretation.
Q - To sum up what you're saying, is it correct to say that any U.S. strike is a unilateral action in the two no-fly zones?
No, you can't say that.
Q - Are the U.S. acts of provocation helpful for the peaceful solution that France and everyone else at the United Nations is seeking?
I won't engage in speculation. For the time being, it is for Iraq now to show it is willing to cooperate. It is for Iraq to open the country fully and completely to the inspectors. As President Chirac has stated, we expect Iraq's full and complete cooperation. That is the most important thing today.