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Where
There is a Will, There is a Way
January 29, 2003
Contact : Fred Olsen, Senior Program Coordinator, (202) 895-1670
Claire Le Goc, Media Relations Coordinator, (202) 895-1670
Washington, DC - A discussion on French perspectives of a possible war
in Iraq took place on January 29th on the occasion of a meeting hosted by The
European Institute in honor of Jean-David Levitte, the new Ambassador of France
to the United States. Until recently, Ambassador Levitte was permanent representative
of France to the United Nations where he was one of the architects of UN resolution
1441 on Iraq. This meeting, held immediately following the State of the Union
Address, included the Ambassadors of 15 European countries, officials from the
US administration, corporate representatives from both Europe and the US, and
experts.
While the US believes that Iraq poses an imminent threat that justifies prompt
military action, France and some of their European neighbors consider that North
Korea, which has long-range missile capacity (Iraq's missile capacity is only
of 170 km), is more dangerous than Iraq. As many Europeans also feel that Islamic
terrorism is a more imminent danger than Iraq, the French public must be persuaded
that there is a link between Al Qaeda and Saddam Hussein, who many agree is a
cruel despot.
French officials ask that the case justifying a war be made at the UN. From this
standpoint, France welcomes the US intention to have Secretary of State Colin
L. Powell address the UN Security Council in New York.
French officials consider that UN inspectors have just begun their work and need
more time to complete it. When asked how much more time would be needed, a high
level French official indicated that it was not for France to decide but for
the inspectors themselves, based on what they would be able to find and based
on their estimates of what was necessary. The official insisted that a further
material breach of the UN Resolution would consist of two components: omissions
in the report and non-cooperation with the inspectors. He also noted that the
Iraqi level of cooperation had improved since the previous round of inspections
was interrupted 4 years ago, and that this development is largely due to US pressure.
The humanitarian crisis that may result from a war could be limited if the UN
is able to continue with the administration of the "oil for food" program that
feeds 2 million people in Iraq. The conclusion of the discussions was that a
second UN Resolution would be preferable, as it would not only make military
intervention more legitimate; it would make the postwar governance of Iraq easier.
The meeting demonstrated the need for further dialogue and suggested that: "Where
there is a will there is a way." |
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