DATE=5/14/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-232208
TITLE=FRANCE / IRAQ (L ONLY)
BYLINE=JULIAN NUNDY
DATELINE=PARIS
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: FRENCH PRESIDENT JACQUES CHIRAC HAS TOLD IRAQ'S DEPUTY
PRIME MINISTER TARIQ AZIZ THAT IRAQ MUST COMPLY WITH ALL UNITED
NATIONS RESOLUTIONS IF IT WANTS INTERNATIONAL TRADE SANCTIONS
ENDED. BUT JULIAN NUNDY IN PARIS REPORTS THE TOP-LEVEL RECEPTION
GIVEN TO MR. AZIZ SEEMS TO INDICATE FRANCE'S DESIRE TO SEE IRAQ
READMITTED TO THE WORLD COMMUNITY.
TEXT: THE IRAQI DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER, WHO REGULARLY REPRESENTS
HIS COUNTRY ABROAD, HAS SPENT MUCH OF THE PAST WEEK IN PARIS.
DURING HIS STAY HE HAS HELD TALKS WITH THE UNITED NATIONS
SECRETARY GENERAL, KOFI ANNAN, AND WITH SENIOR FRENCH GOVERNMENT
OFFICIALS.
DIPLOMATS SAY FRENCH PRESIDENT JACQUES CHIRAC'S DECISION TO GIVE
MR. AZIZ A PERSONAL MEETING IS A CLEAR INDICATION THAT FRANCE
WANTS TO SEE PROGRESS IN THE CAMPAIGN TO END SANCTIONS AGAINST
IRAQ.
AFTER THE MEETING, MR. CHIRAC'S AIDES SAID THE FRENCH PRESIDENT
REPEATED PARIS' POSITION THAT IRAQ MUST SHOW GOOD WILL TOWARD THE
UNITED NATIONS. FRANCE PLAYED A KEY ROLE IN FEBRUARY TO REDUCE
THE TENSIONS OVER IRAQ'S REFUSAL TO ALLOW U-N ARMS INSPECTORS TO
DO THEIR WORK THAT THREATENED TO PROVOKE A NEW WAR IN THE REGION.
MR. AZIZ HANDED OVER A LETTER FROM IRAQ'S PRESIDENT SADDAM
HUSSEIN DURING HIS MEETING WITH MR. CHIRAC. AN OFFICIAL
STATEMENT FROM THE FRENCH PRESIDENCY AFTER THE MEETING SAID
IRAQ'S RETURN TO THE WORLD COMMUNITY IS BOTH "POSSIBLE AND
DESIRABLE, AND THE ROAD TO GET THERE EXISTS."
TO DO THIS, MR. CHIRAC SAID IRAQ MUST APPLY ALL UNITED NATIONS
RESOLUTIONS -- ESPECIALLY THOSE RELATING TO THE ELIMINATION OF
WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION.
IN THIS RESPECT, MR. CHIRAC PRAISED WHAT HE CALLED "THE NEW
SPIRIT OF COOPERATION" BETWEEN IRAQ AND U-N INSPECTORS. MR. AZIZ
REPLIED THAT IRAQ HAS FULFILLED, WHAT HE CALLED, "ITS LEGAL
OBLIGATIONS" TOWARD THE U-N, AND HOPED FOR FRENCH SUPPORT TO END
TRADE BARRIERS. HE ACCUSED THE UNITED STATES OF BEING BOTH WHAT
HE CALLED "ADVERSARY AND JUDGE" IN THE SITUATION.
AMONG THOSE WHO MET WITH MR. AZIZ DURING HIS PARIS VISIT WERE
FRENCH BUSINESS LEADERS. THIS CLEARLY ANTICIPATES A RESUMPTION
OF NORMAL TRADE WITH IRAQ IN WHICH FRENCH COMPANIES HOPE TO PLAY
A LEADING PART.
/// REST OPT ///
FOR THE RESPECTED FRENCH DAILY NEWSPAPER LE MONDE, THE FRENCH
AUTHORITIES ARE DEMONSTRATING THEIR DESIRE FOR A NORMALIZATION OF
TIES WITH IRAQ, WHILE THEY REMAIN OFFICIALLY FIRM IN THEIR
SUPPORT OF THE U-N POSITION. LE MONDE ADDED THAT NEVER, SINCE
THE INVASION OF KUWAIT IN 1990, HAS MR. AZIZ OR ANY OTHER IRAQI
LEADER BEEN GIVEN SUCH A HIGH-LEVEL RECEPTION ANYWHERE IN THE
WEST. (SIGNED)
NEB/JN/MMK
14-May-98 10:28 AM EDT (1428 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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