THE MINISTER We listened this morning extremely carefully to the reports of the inspectors, Mr Blix and Mr ElBaradei, and one thing is clear: inspections do work. There are significant and positive results, important progress has been made during the last few weeks. But, of course, as a member of the international community, we want more. We want from Iraq full compliance with her obligations. Because the goal of the Security Council, we should never forget it, is disarmament of Iraq. This is why France has proposed reinforcing the inspections by trying to give the inspectors all the means they need to carry out the inspections. And we consider that we should, all together, keep the pressure on Iraq and this is why we propose to meet again at ministerial level on 14 March. We are all committed to trying to resolve this crisis peacefully and this is today the most important task we have.

Q. Do you think Iraq is in material breach today?

THE MINISTER We are in the framework of UNSCR 1441. And under this resolution, on the basis of the report of the inspectors to the Security Council, it is up to the Council to decide if Iraq is or isn't in material breach.

Q. (On a second UN Security Council resolution)

THE MINISTER I said this very clearly this morning, we think we are in the framework of UNSCR 1441. It is the time for inspections. In this framework, we can improve and reinforce the inspections. We don't need, at this stage, a second resolution. Of course, if there is a failure, if the inspectors come back and tell us that they can no longer work on the ground, then we will have to consider a new meeting of the Security Council, a new resolution. We would have to examine all the options, including the use of force. But we aren't at that point today.

Q. You were applauded at the end of your speech, which is not very common here. What's your reaction?

THE MINISTER The only reaction is that we are all working for something important. What is at stake here is war and peace. And our responsibility, the collective responsibility of everyone in the Security Council, is involved. And we want to try to give peace a chance.

Q. Does your opposition to the war go as far as possibly vetoing a US-sponsored resolution in the next two weeks, and do you believe US troops must stay in the region to keep that pressure on Iraq, even if it means months?

THE MINISTER We believe the pressure that we have all together put on Iraq is today producing results. We have made the French position very plain. And it is a detailed position. Firstly, we said we should try to do our best with the inspectors. And then, of course, if it didn't work, then we should consider a second option.

Q. Is France convinced that more force would add to the pressure, or would she leave the United States to exert the pressure?

THE MINISTER I think, and you heard the report of Mr Blix and Mr ElBaradei, the pressure is strong. We are getting results. We should stick together in order to get more results.

Thank you very much.