REMARKS BY M. DOMINIQUE DE VILLEPIN
MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

FRANCE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

January 21, 2003

Excerpts

(...)

Q. – Is Europe ready to negotiate a way out for Saddam Hussein which would avoid a war?

THE MINISTER – Today the solution laid down in UNSCR 1441 is to move forward with the cooperation, active cooperation of the Iraqis, and that's what we're asking them for. We are insisting on Iraq actually being able to do what she has to do today so as to give peace every chance. We think it's possible. The inspectors on the ground are working. Over 300 inspections a month are already being organized and allowing us to make headway under satisfactory conditions. We want to do more. The next report which will be presented to the Security Council on 27 January will be an opportunity to take stock. It's an interim report. We shall have to take on board everything it says, try to improve things, dig more deeply, make proposals in order to go further.

As you know, France has asked all the members of the Security Council to give the inspectors all the available information, together with the requisite manpower and equipment. So we have both the manpower and intelligence from the international community to take forward the policy of cooperation we are pursuing today.

Q. – In addition to the cooperation, my question concerned the negotiation of the ending of Saddam Hussein's reign...

THE MINISTER – Let's stick to the objective set by the international community. Let's concentrate on a clear objective which is that of the whole international community: to disarm Iraq. That's the aim of the Security Council, that's the aim of the United Nations and we must stay clearly focused on it.

Q. – What if the United States doesn't want to stick just to [the objectives set by the international community]?

THE MINISTER – As we have said, we can't support unilateral action. President Chirac has made this very plain. France's position is one which gives its full weight to the concept of collective security. We are supporting the Security Council's action. We can see no justification at all today for resorting to force in the present circumstances since the inspectors can work and the cooperation they are receiving is allowing progress. That today is the key factor. Force can be only a last resort. The President of the Republic, Jacques Chirac, has said this very clearly.

IRAQ/EU GAC

Q. – Can you envisage Europe adopting a common position on Iraq, for example at the next General Affairs Council on 27/28 January?

THE MINISTER – We're working on it. We're going to combine our efforts to move towards it. Yesterday, I talked a lot to the other EU members who attended the Security Council meeting. This is an ongoing effort, a sustained effort. (...) It's important for Europe to be able to speak with a single voice on such an important conflict, it's important for Europe to be able to agree on the principles it wants to see defended in the international arena: our respect for the law and moral values are the principles which unite us. We talk enough about our values, and we must be capable of conveying them to the outside world, embodying them, mobilizing to defend them. This is a particularly appropriate objective for Europe. Europe has a special duty to fulfil in the international arena because of its history, its destiny, because of our diverse heritages and our deep-rooted common values.

IRAQ/US/UK

Q. – What role do you think Britain has played in shifting the US position?

THE MINISTER – It's not for me to give an opinion on that. Today we are all working together to ensure that things can move in the direction of cooperation. We are mobilized, we want to believe that the war can be avoided. (...)./.