France MFA: Spokesperson on Iraq's Reconstruction

STATEMENT BY THE MINISTRY OF
FOREIGN AFFAIRS SPOKESPERSON

FRENCH MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

April 23, 2003

Q - Are you taking Colin Powell's criticisms as a refusal by the US authorities to re-establish harmonious relations with France ?

I refer you to the comments Foreign Minister de Villepin made in Ankara this morning : "France has acted throughout the Iraqi crisis, along with a very large majority of the international community, in accordance with its convictions and principles in order to defend international legality. It will continue to do so in all circumstances."

Q - Are you concerned about continuing American opposition to any UN involvement in rebuilding Iraq ?

Discussions on the reconstruction of Iraq just started yesterday in the Security Council. Let's give them time.

Q - Do you think the EU has a common position on Iraq's reconstruction ?

As you know, the EU presidency issued a declaration on Iraq at last week's summit of European heads of state and government in Athens. That's the latest on the question.

Q - What's your interpretation of the US refusal to allow a visit to Iraq by Hans Blix and the UN inspectors ?

I'm not a spokesman for the US.

Q - Could you clarify your position on the sanctions against Iraq, especially your conditions for suspending the measures ?

Our position was clearly stated yesterday by France's permanent representative to the UN. We support suspending the civil sanctions immediately.

Q - Does France agree with Russia that lifting the sanctions in Iraq requires a UN declaration on the weapons of mass destruction ?

I refer you to the statements our permanent representative to the UN made to the press ; they're very clear and show that we're working with pragmatism.

Q - Does the decision lie with UNMOVIC and in that case what happens about Mr. Blix ?

Discussions are to continue in the Security Council in the next few days.

Q - We're hearing a lot about French "pragmatism" these days. Is it a position coordinated with the Germans and Russians in St. Petersburg ?

We have converging positions with our German and Russian partners and also with many states in the international community.

Q - What efforts will France make about Iraqi debt and what will be your position at the Paris Club on Thursday ?

It's too soon to make a statement on this matter which gets an initial review at the ordinary monthly meeting of the Paris Club tomorrow. I refer you to the Ministry of Finance for the procedures in effect in that body and the agenda.

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Search WMD profiles Iraqi entities of concern Iraq's suppliers UN documents Government documents Controlled items Perspectives	STATEMENT BY THE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS SPOKESPERSON FRENCH MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS April 23, 2003 Q - Are you taking Colin Powell's criticisms as a refusal by the US authorities to re-establish harmonious relations with France ? I refer you to the comments Foreign Minister de Villepin made in Ankara this morning : "France has acted throughout the Iraqi crisis, along with a very large majority of the international community, in accordance with its convictions and principles in order to defend international legality. It will continue to do so in all circumstances." Q - Are you concerned about continuing American opposition to any UN involvement in rebuilding Iraq ? Discussions on the reconstruction of Iraq just started yesterday in the Security Council. Let's give them time. Q - Do you think the EU has a common position on Iraq's reconstruction ? As you know, the EU presidency issued a declaration on Iraq at last week's summit of European heads of state and government in Athens. That's the latest on the question. Q - What's your interpretation of the US refusal to allow a visit to Iraq by Hans Blix and the UN inspectors ? I'm not a spokesman for the US. Q - Could you clarify your position on the sanctions against Iraq, especially your conditions for suspending the measures ? Our position was clearly stated yesterday by France's permanent representative to the UN. We support suspending the civil sanctions immediately. Q - Does France agree with Russia that lifting the sanctions in Iraq requires a UN declaration on the weapons of mass destruction ? I refer you to the statements our permanent representative to the UN made to the press ; they're very clear and show that we're working with pragmatism. Q - Does the decision lie with UNMOVIC and in that case what happens about Mr. Blix ? Discussions are to continue in the Security Council in the next few days. Q - We're hearing a lot about French "pragmatism" these days. Is it a position coordinated with the Germans and Russians in St. Petersburg ? We have converging positions with our German and Russian partners and also with many states in the international community. Q - What efforts will France make about Iraqi debt and what will be your position at the Paris Club on Thursday ? It's too soon to make a statement on this matter which gets an initial review at the ordinary monthly meeting of the Paris Club tomorrow. I refer you to the Ministry of Finance for the procedures in effect in that body and the agenda.