Posted on 09/04/2002 1:56:47 PM PDT by 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.
Allow me...
Anyone who knows history knows that the French ALWAYS look for ways to SCREW their allies.
That's better.
Well....maybe tomorrow or the next day.
Thanks a lot, Monsieur.
Regards, Ivan
Regarder je me suis lavé les mains
Stay safe; stay armed.
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
Stay safe; stay armed.
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.
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.
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