France MFA: Spokesperson on the Role of the United States & U.N. in Iraqi Peace-keeping

Q - Has the US asked France to help in Iraq?

The answer is no.

Q - Has there been any quiet request by the US for the French, Germans and even the Russians to help them?

The answer is no.

Q - You've not received any request from the Americans to help them out of the quagmire in Iraq, you or Germany or Russia?

The answer is no.

Q - We've seen excerpts of Kofi Annan's report. He's ruling out the possibility of sending troops or international police. What is France's position on the discussions that are going to take place? Can we have some comment from you?

First, as you said, discussions are going to be taking place. This afternoon there's a public session of the Security Council. From that point of view, I think we have to wait a bit.

As to the facts, I can only refer you to what Dominique de Villepin said yesterday after the GAC in Brussels. I'm convinced you'll have seen his comments which are very clear. He said apropos the challenge of Iraq that a "comprehensive approach" was needed. We can see perfectly well that the political and economic problems and the problems linked to security are closely linked. In the second place, France remains convinced that only the UN has the necessary legitimacy to guarantee Iraq's stability and reconstruction.

Once, again, I repeat, I think we should listen and watch closely what's going to be said in New York this afternoon as it's the first substantive debate in several months that the international community and its representatives are having on the situation in Iraq and what we can expect.

Q - Do you have any information about the American military official who's been summoned? Do you think that American arrogance has diminished? Apparently they don't know what to do in Iraq any more—will they ask Mr. Chirac and Mr. Shroeder to help to find a way out?

No. Obviously, I can't share such value judgments as you appear to have for some. But let me say again, this afternoon's debate will be quite important since it should enable us to assess together the perception we have of the Iraq crisis and its prospects. The debate will enable every state to speak on how they see the situation and the prospects for change.

I think it would be premature at this stage to say too much. There's a report out by the secretary-general as you noted which is sort of the backdrop and there's to be an oral report by Sergio Vieira de Mello, the secretary-general's special representative, followed by a discussion. So we'll have to see how the discussion goes. All the rest at this stage is speculation.

Q - I imagine you've received Kofi Annan's report if the press itself has had it. What's your assessment of the report? Do you still support Kofi Annan's view of the Iraqi crisis? Do you support the content of the report?

I believe the report presents a blunt but realistic picture of the situation. Above all, it insists on the need for a comprehensive approach. I reminded you of what Mr. de Villepin had said in this regard, the fact that no one aspect can be separated from the others, and so we need a comprehensive approach on one hand, and one that gives the UN an absolutely central role since the objective is to restore Iraq's sovereignty and guarantee its stability and reconstruction.

As of August 2006, Iraq Watch is no longer being updated. Click here for more information.

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 July 22, 2003 *Excerpts* Q - Has the US asked France to help in Iraq? The answer is no. Q - Has there been any quiet request by the US for the French, Germans and even the Russians to help them? The answer is no. Q - You've not received any request from the Americans to help them out of the quagmire in Iraq, you or Germany or Russia? The answer is no. Q - We've seen excerpts of Kofi Annan's report. He's ruling out the possibility of sending troops or international police. What is France's position on the discussions that are going to take place? Can we have some comment from you? First, as you said, discussions are going to be taking place. This afternoon there's a public session of the Security Council. From that point of view, I think we have to wait a bit. As to the facts, I can only refer you to what Dominique de Villepin said yesterday after the GAC in Brussels. I'm convinced you'll have seen his comments which are very clear. He said apropos the challenge of Iraq that a "comprehensive approach" was needed. We can see perfectly well that the political and economic problems and the problems linked to security are closely linked. In the second place, France remains convinced that only the UN has the necessary legitimacy to guarantee Iraq's stability and reconstruction. Once, again, I repeat, I think we should listen and watch closely what's going to be said in New York this afternoon as it's the first substantive debate in several months that the international community and its representatives are having on the situation in Iraq and what we can expect. Q - Do you have any information about the American military official who's been summoned? Do you think that American arrogance has diminished? Apparently they don't know what to do in Iraq any more—will they ask Mr. Chirac and Mr. Shroeder to help to find a way out? No. Obviously, I can't share such value judgments as you appear to have for some. But let me say again, this afternoon's debate will be quite important since it should enable us to assess together the perception we have of the Iraq crisis and its prospects. The debate will enable every state to speak on how they see the situation and the prospects for change. I think it would be premature at this stage to say too much. There's a report out by the secretary-general as you noted which is sort of the backdrop and there's to be an oral report by Sergio Vieira de Mello, the secretary-general's special representative, followed by a discussion. So we'll have to see how the discussion goes. All the rest at this stage is speculation. Q - I imagine you've received Kofi Annan's report if the press itself has had it. What's your assessment of the report? Do you still support Kofi Annan's view of the Iraqi crisis? Do you support the content of the report? I believe the report presents a blunt but realistic picture of the situation. Above all, it insists on the need for a comprehensive approach. I reminded you of what Mr. de Villepin had said in this regard, the fact that no one aspect can be separated from the others, and so we need a comprehensive approach on one hand, and one that gives the UN an absolutely central role since the objective is to restore Iraq's sovereignty and guarantee its stability and reconstruction.