France against publishing secret documents on Iraq's weapons programs

Agence France-Presse | 9/04/02

[kattracks]

France said it was against publishing top-secret evidence on Iraq's alleged development of weapons of mass destruction, saying the public arena was not the place to wage such a campaign.

"These are not issues which we can deal with publicly. This calls for serenity and seriousness, and we should therefore beware of any leaks and any saber-rattling proposals," Foreign Minister Dominique de Villepin told France Info radio.

On Tuesday, British Prime Minister Tony Blair said he would in the coming weeks release damning information about Baghdad's alleged efforts to develop nuclear, biological and chemical weapons, to prove the threat posed by Saddam Hussein.

The foreign minister said that France and Britain had shared information on the proof of such a weapons program. and it "is out of the question to divulge these exchanges."

De Villepin said it was important to act responsibly in evaluating whether a "country could own chemical or biological weapons, and if it could turn into a threat."

He added it was important that France evaluate such risks together with its European partners.

"The international community is today very worried, which justifies our determination in the face of the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction."

Washington on Wednesday stepped up its war rhetoric, with President George W. Bush calling Saddam Hussein a "serious threat" and saying he would take his case against Iraq to the United Nations next week.

De Villepin said "France, the world, cannot accommodate such a risk, and that is why we demand with insistance the return of the UN (weapons) inspectors to Iraq and that the country conforms with the demands of the international community."

If it did, he stressed, it was up to the UN Security Council to decide on any international action.

UN weapons inspectors left Iraq in 1998 in the face of an imminent US and British missile attack on Baghdad, and have since been barred from returning despite insistent UN demands.

[Carry_Okie]

Anyone who knows history knows that the French ALWAYS look for ways to abandon their allies.

Allow me...

Anyone who knows history knows that the French ALWAYS look for ways to SCREW their allies.

That's better.

[Doctor Stochastic]

Perhaps they want to keep sources secret. The US uses secret courts to try American Citizens, why shouldn't France want to use secret information about Iraq?

[Windshark]

Did they surrender to Iraq yet?

Well....maybe tomorrow or the next day.

[KC_Conspirator]

You are exactly right about that MadIvan. The Frogs have their hands all over the trade with Iraq and I would go as far to say that some of the materials they are exporting over there will eventually be found out to be highly suspect.

[weegee]

I think that it resembles a multiheaded beast of the apocalypse.

[nicko]

this article should probably be posted under the "Breaking Wind" category...rather than Breaking News....

[ZeitgeistSurfer]

Your right about being more effective in French, but I make it a point not to speak that pissant language, except when I'm about to surrender.

[MadIvan]

I've been reading about the Osirak reactor and France's role in nuclear technology - I think it would be fair to say that without French assistance Iraq would not have gotten anywhere with its nuclear programme. No wonder Israel bombed the reactor; but technology like that remains in the form of plans, etc.

Thanks a lot, Monsieur.

Regards, Ivan

[Eaker]

How do you say "Look I washed my hands!" in French?

Regarder je me suis lavé les mains

Stay safe; stay armed.

[MadIvan]

IraqWatch.Org, also has this article from 1997 in the New York Times - but here is the paragraph I found most interesting:

Despite these dangers, France and Russia have tried to rule out military action and to broker a compromise. Indeed, France, in its eagerness to placate Mr. Hussein, has proposed to close the books on new inspections and to rely mainly on monitoring the biological, chemical and nuclear weapons that have already been found.

Remember, this is from the New York Times, one of France's biggest fans.

Regards, Ivan

[Eaker]

You sound like a traitor.

Stay safe; stay armed.

[Paul Atreides]

[F16Fighter]

It's become clearer just what kind of "art" the enigmatic Eiffel Tower was supposed to have symbolized -- a giant French suppository.

[freepy smurf]

They're so confident in being covered up by the left wing media that they can wear their hypocrisy right on their sleeve. How do you counter something like that?

[PhilDragoo]

Because the French have historically been one of Iraq's biggest trading partners.

And (I am given to understand) much less punctilious than most developed world countries about ensuring that their corporations do not violate sanctions, pay bribes to receive contracts, etc. I bet you're right. There is probably some merde-stained linen the frogs don't want aired.

Both France and Russia would benefit from an end to sanctions on Iraq: it owes France $5 billion and Russia $7 billion. Such debts cannot be repaid until sanctions are lifted and Iraq regains a share of its oil revenue.

[weegee]

There's plenty of money among the mullahs in the Middle East.

5 of the world's 10 richest men live in the Middle East. Add to that those who don't make the top 5. Maybe the Saudi Royals should pick up the tab.

[Doctor Stochastic]

You sound like a conservative.

[weegee]

Maybe we should be making the case to conquer France; save them from themselves (surrendering to Iraq).

[spyone]

France is the poorest excuse for a democracy known to man. Secrecy, lies, and tax, tax, tax.

[dogbyte12]

I would gladly attack France before Iraq. Saddam Hussein pisses me off, but he is one man. The majority of the french people piss me off as well. Let's not forget Libya fly over. F the cheese eating surrender monkeys. I am quivering like a french soldier thinking about French opposition to our plan. Not.