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Iraq/Middle East/France/US Interview given by Michel Barnier, Minister of Foreign Affairs, to “Europe 1” (excerpts). Paris, January 31, 2005
IRAQI ELECTION Q. – As has been said on all Europe 1’s news bulletins, a large number of Iraqis turned out to vote, despite the terror, it’s the first time for them in nearly half a century. What is France’s position this morning?
THE MINISTER – It’s a first victory for the Iraqi people and a first important step, one which was indispensable for both democracy and the political process, which we’ve been hoping and working for – I’m talking about the international community – for months and months. We won’t find a way out of this tragedy in Iraq other than through democracy and elections. Q. – I.e. we’re on the road to democracy, but democracy is still a long way off?
THE MINISTER – There are other steps, I’ll use, if I may, the image of a staircase. The first step hadn’t to be missed out, it hasn’t. Once again, this is thanks to the praiseworthy and courageous Iraqi people. There’ll soon be other steps: immediately, the drafting of a Constitution, which must allow all the communities in Iraq to be fairly represented; approval of this Constitution; other elections in 2005; and then, of course, when the time comes, as provided for in UNSCR 1546, the withdrawal of the foreign troops so that the Iraqi people quite simply regain their sovereignty. Q. – Are you saying that it’s a defeat for the terrorists and a blow for one of their leaders, al-Zarqawi?
THE MINISTER – But when there’s democracy, when people vote, it’s always a defeat for terrorism. Q. – There were risks of civil war and chaos, that's what was being constantly repeated, do you think the violence is going to continue to rage or diminish?
THE MINISTER – The situation is still very difficult, Iraq is a dangerous country. There are a lot of kidnappings, military operations, attacks. So let's be cautious, the stages have to be completed one by one, and the political process which is getting under way remains a fragile one. We called, let me remind you, for this tragedy to be ended through political means and democracy – the famous UNSCR 1546. We contributed to the first stage of rebuilding Iraq economically by reducing her debt. We sought this process and its support by all the region's countries which were present in Sharm el Sheikh, as we were ourselves. We're on the right road, it's still fragile and long. Q. – When you hear people say it’s a success for the international community, but first of all for George Bush, how do you react?
THE MINISTER – Frankly, the Americans want to end this situation in which their soldiers are dying or are in danger. I'm not going back over the past and the reasons for the conflict, everyone knows the positions and particularly those... Q. – France regrets nothing this morning?
MIDDLE EAST PEACE PROCESS THE MINISTER – We regret nothing. We have said what we thought and we're looking ahead and want, in this new spirit which Americans and Europeans are working for, to put an end to this tragedy and other tragedies. As you know, this isn't the only conflict in the Middle East. The pivotal one is still the conflict between Israelis and Palestinians and it’s the moment to make peace. We shall come back to this. It's the moment to make peace in the region. Middle East instability means instability for us. US WITHDRAWAL Q. – You've talked about the Americans. Do you think that the timetable for the progressive withdrawal of the US forces can be speeded up? The Iraqi Interior Minister who was in London said that they will be able to start leaving in 18 months' time.
THE MINISTER – I don't know when the Americans will decide to pull out with the other members of the Coalition. What I know is what's written in UNSCR 1546 and the goal, the schedule of December 2005 for considering the matter. Of course, it's the Iraqi government who will first have to consider the withdrawal of the foreign troops. FRANCE/IRAQ Q. – Do you think that France now has to do something else? This morning, given the new situation, what is she ready to do, because there had been talk of training police officers, rebuilding, if the Americans agree?
THE MINISTER – But it isn't a matter of us being ready to do something this morning. For months and months, ever since the approval by our country and the whole international community of UNSCR 1546, in the United Nations framework – we are in the framework of the United Nations, which is the place for exercising international law and for international debate – we've said that we were ready to train police officers – outside Iraqi territory – and we confirmed this to the Iraqi President when he came a fortnight ago. We have said that we were ready, are ready to participate in the country's economic and political reconstruction. A fortnight ago, we invited to the Foreign Ministry 15 or so Iraqi political parties, who sent their number twos, number threes, whom I met personally to discuss, including... Q. – What happens next, the political future?
THE MINISTER – ...including parties which weren’t participating in yesterday’s election. We had talks with these parties. So we are willing to cooperate in the effort to end the suffering of this people and rebuild the country. Once again, what's happening in Iraq and in the region means instability for us. IRAQ/SHIITES Q. – Isn't there a risk of seeing the establishment of an Islamic Republic, a religious government. Look at the photo on the front page of today's "France Soir". The dangers of an Islamic Shiite victory: a woman dressed totally in black, she's even got black gloves on when putting her voting paper in the ballot box.
THE MINISTER – What's important is that women are voting. Iraq isn't the only country where women are veiled. Let's respect everyone's practices, what's important is democracy, and I won't impugn anyone's motives. We want simply to say that this process is incremental, that now the winners must use their victory and their majority well, that a system has to be found in the Constitution whereby the minorities aren't crushed and are represented fairly, and the country is organized in a federal system. As you can see, there's a huge political and institutional task here and we want to help, not just we French, but the Europeans are ready to support this process. FRANCE/US Q. – Has the time come for George Bush and Jacques Chirac, for French and Americans once again to enjoy close links?
THE MINISTER – But we have a dialogue with the Americans; in fact I attended a working lunch with President Bush and President Chirac in June at the time of the commemoration of the Landings. We have been working together for several months: on UNSCR 1546, Iraq's debt, the Peace Process, and in many other places, Kosovo, Haiti, Afghanistan. CONDOLEEZZA RICE Q. – Will you be going over to see Condoleezza Rice who has just been appointed Secretary of State or will she soon be coming to Paris to prepare the Chirac/Bush talks?
THE MINISTER – I went to see her myself in Washington, at the same time as I went to bid farewell to Colin Powell, with whom I had worked well and a lot. Next week she will be in Paris and I shall be having a meeting with her, as will President Chirac. MIDDLE EAST PEACE PROCESS/ARIEL SHARON Q. – You talked about Israel and Palestine. In fact, you are going to that part of the world, I believe, next week for your second visit. Are you going to see Ariel Sharon?
THE MINISTER – Yes, I shall see Ariel Sharon, I'll see Mahmoud Abbas, the new Palestinian President and I shall express France and the European Union's support for the new mood we clearly feel exists between Israelis and Palestinians, who are ready to recreate this partnership for peace. This is the moment to do so: 2005 can and must be the year of peace in the Middle East; it's a pivotal conflict which we can end only if there's a common will to do so on the part of the Americans, Europeans, Russians, United Nations and, of course, the countries in the region. Q. – So this morning you can see some good prospects for the region?
THE MINISTER – I see a new mood, a new positive context allowing me to say that 2005 can and must be the year of peace between Israelis and Palestinians. Q. – On 8 February, i.e. in just under a week's time, Mahmoud Abbas and Ariel Sharon are going to meet, see each other, shake hands, will you be over there before or after?
THE MINISTER – On Monday and Tuesday I'll be in Palestine and Israel. (...)./.
Embassy of France in the United States - January 31, 2005
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