DATE=12/20/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-243320
TITLE= IRAQ / FRANCE (S&L)
BYLINE=JULIAN NUNDY
DATELINE=PARIS
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: FRANCE HAS WELCOMED THE END OF THE AMERICAN-LED
BOMBARDMENTS OF IRAQ AND IS CALLING FOR MEASURES TO EASE ECONOMIC
SANCTIONS AGAINST BAGHDAD TO END THE SUFFERING OF THE IRAQI
PEOPLE. JULIAN NUNDY REPORTS FROM PARIS.
TEXT: FRENCH PRESIDENT JACQUES CHIRAC SAYS IT IS NOW URGENT TO
IMPROVE THE LIVING CONDITIONS OF THE IRAQI PEOPLE.
FRANCE -- WHICH HAS CRITICIZED BOTH IRAQ'S PRESIDENT SADDAM
HUSSEIN FOR PROVOKING THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY AND THE U-S AND
BRITISH DECISION TO USE AIR POWER AGAINST IRAQ -- HAS BEEN WAGING
A CAMPAIGN FOR SOME YEARS TO EASE THE ECONOMIC EMBARGO AGAINST
BAGHDAD.
IN THE FIRST FRENCH REACTION TO THE END OF THE LATEST ATTACKS,
MR. CHIRAC SAID IT IS THE IRAQI PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN SUFFERING
BECAUSE OF THE SANCTIONS.
MR. CHIRAC SAYS ANY TALK OF LIFTING OR EASING SANCTIONS MUST BE
ACCOMPANIED BY GUARANTEES OF EFFECTIVE MONITORING OF IRAQ'S
MILITARY AND STRICT CONTROLS ON HOW IRAQ SPENDS ITS MONEY.
//REST OPTIONAL FOR LONG//
FRENCH COMPANIES, PARTICULARLY OIL AND CONSTRUCTION FIRMS, HAVE
BEEN POSITIONING THEMSELVES FOR SOME YEARS TO HELP IRAQ RETURN TO
NORMAL WHEN SANCTIONS ARE FINALLY LIFTED.
ALTHOUGH FRANCE HAS DISTANCED ITSELF FROM THE UNITED STATES AND
BRITAIN IN THE LATEST CRISIS, THIS HAS NOT EARNED IT ANY
GRATITUDE IN BAGHDAD. IRAQ'S DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER TAREK AZIZ
EARLIER ACCUSED MR. CHIRAC OF BEING OPPORTUNIST.
IN HIS LATEST STATEMENT, PRESIDENT CHIRAC SAID FRANCE NOW WANTS
TO SEE RELATIONS BETWEEN IRAQ AND THE REST OF THE WORLD ENTER A
NEW PHASE, WITH GENUINE EFFORTS TO SEEK A WAY OUT OF THE CRISIS.
ADDING THAT THIS WOULD REQUIRE NEW METHODS TO MONITOR IRAQ'S
ARMAMENTS DEVELOPMENT, MR. CHIRAC SAID FRANCE WILL DO EVERYTHING
IT CAN TO HELP. (SIGNED)
NEB / JWN / DW / WD
20-Dec-98 7:49 AM EST (1249 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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