Posted on 05/25/2004 8:05:42 AM PDT by areafiftyone
PARIS, May 25 (Reuters) - France demanded changes on Monday to a U.S.-British draft U.N. resolution outlining the handover of power to an interim Iraqi government and said Iraqis must be handed genuine sovereignty on June 30.
President Jacques Chirac, whose country led opposition to the U.S.-led war in Iraq and holds a power of veto in the United Nations Security Council, set out France's concerns in a telephone conversation with U.S. President George W. Bush.
The draft, presented on Monday to the Security Council, sets June 30 as the date for a transfer of power to Iraqis.
"This draft...contains positive aspects as well as others on which discussions should be continued so that the resolution helps open up a clear political horizon in Iraq," Chirac's office quoted the French leader as saying.
"The President of the Republic reiterated his conviction that the transfer of sovereignty must be real and perceived as such by the Iraqis themselves -- the date of June 30 must mark a real change," it said in a written statement.
France has said the resolution should make clear the interim government has a say over what actions are taken by U.S.-led forces once sovereignty is handed over next month.
Paris also wants the new Iraqi government that will emerge from subsequent elections to be able to decide whether international forces remain in the country.
The presidency statement also said Paris wanted further discussion on other powers to be held by the interim government, in particular its control of Iraq's large oil resources.
BARNIER SEEKS CHANGES
French Foreign Minister Michel Barnier said earlier on Tuesday that changes were needed in the draft resolution.
"It is a draft -- a draft which should be discussed and improved," he said after talks with European Union foreign policy chief Javier Solana.
"It is mainly to do with the sincerity, reality, the credibility of the process of the transfer of sovereignty."
He said the draft was "not something you either have to take or leave."
"It's not a case of us opposing the United States or the British. Our concern is to help end this tragedy ... (and we) hope that, this time, we are listened to, given what we know about this region," he added.
The draft resolution says the interim government would "assume the responsibility and authority for governing a sovereign Iraq" but allow U.S. forces there to "take all measures" to keep order and sets no date for their departure.
The text endorses a U.S.-led multinational force, which would have "authority to take all necessary measures to contribute to the maintenance of security and stability."
The draft emerged several hours before Bush's televised speech on Monday mapping out his plans for Iraq, where attacks on occupying forces have thrown into doubt prospects for a peaceful transfer to democratic rule.
As part of the transition process, U.N. envoy Lakhdar Brahimi is due to name a president, a prime minister, two vice presidents and 26 ministers soon. They would stay in office until elections for a national assembly, due by January 2005.
*Kidding! Only kidding!!
I am such a stinker, I know. :P
LOL - I was waiting for the inevitable e-mail saying "BUH BYE".
About the article, France needs to STFU!
I DEMAND that French women start shaving their armpits.
"It's not a case of us opposing the United States or the British. Our concern is to help end this tragedy ..."
25 million people liberated from a dictatorship is a "tragedy" to the French. What useless morons!
This is ALL France is interested in and nothing else.
Man, I'm beginning to think that all of Reuter's reporters must have started out as fiction writers, not journalists! The word "demands" is no where in the quotes they cite and adds some acrimony that isn't really there (well, not yet maybe).
They all need to have a Jerry Springer certificate of hyperbole attached to their articles.
"The presidency statement also said Paris wanted further discussion on other powers.....in particular its control of Iraq's large oil resources."
PARIS, May 25 (Reuters) - France demanded changes
Which is it. France "urges" or France "demands" changes?
Every time we give the UN a chance to do something they pull this crap. What's the point of a UN that only serves the self interests of individual states?
With three of five the permanent seats on the UN Security Council held by European countries (and therefore having veto power) and with the new Constitution going it to effect soon to try to make one common “United States of Europe” (and as France hopes under it’s sway)
It time to demand that the EU collectively can have only one Security Council seat
Seriously the right in this country should start driving this to become political police of the U.S.
After all its only “fair” and “just” France should give up its seat to Australia or Japan
Why does Chirac think he is relevent?
What is "France"?
A country with a veto on the UN Security Council.
If Bush bribes France/Chirac, he will get nothing positive in return but a temporary vote. France will continue to agitate for more.
He should force a French veto and explain to the US and Iraqi people that he could not in good conscience trade away the Iraqi people's own wealth. The Admin. has failed to stress the obvious, lay out the cards what's really happening, and again and again gives the "UN" argument of Kerry etc. credibility.
The Iraqis will understand who's their friend, and Bush should appeal to their pride and patriotism. So far we have a year of nicey-nice that's only been repaid, repeatedly, with demands for bribes. Failed course needs to be changed.
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