Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

DATE=3/7/03

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=U-N /IRAQ / FRANCE (S-O)

NUMBER=2-300451

BYLINE=BARBARA SCHOETZAU

DATELINE=NEW YORK

INTERNET=

INTRO: French Foreign Minister Dominique de Villepin says France will not support a revised U-N draft resolution presented by the United Kingdom. The draft would set a March 17th deadline for Iraq to comply with U-N disarmament resolutions or face war. From New York, V-O-A correspondent Barbara Schoetzau has details.

TEXT: Britain is circulating the amendment to the Security Council in hopes of drawing the support of undecided members. But Mr. Villepin says France will not authorize the use of force as long as U-N weapons inspectors say that Iraq is cooperating in their efforts to discover and destroy Baghdad's weapons of mass destruction.

/// VILLEPIN ACT ///

I am forced to say that behind this presentation there is the idea of an ultimatum. March 17th, this is the logic of war. We do not accept this logic.

/// END ACT ///

The amendment is designed to convince veto-wielding members China, France, and Russia to support the use of force if Iraq does not take one last chance to disarm. But Mr. Villepin says France will not accept a resolution that sets a timetable for war. (Signed)

NEB/NYC/BJS/RH/KBK