Today's Date:

Ambassador LEVITTE : (…) Now, we have to make Iraq a success story. Because otherwise, it would be a disaster for the Iraqi people. For relations between the Muslim world and the West. And that's why president Chirac invited three weeks ago in Paris the president of Iraq and that's why president Chirac encouraged publicly, twice, all the Iraqi to participate in the elections on Sunday. Because that's the only way to build a better future for the Iraqis. And that's why president Chirac announced publicly that we are ready to train 1,500 officers of military police in the coming weeks and months, to help solve the main, pressing issue, which is security in Iraq.

Ted KOPPEL : if, indeed, the United States were to begin the withdrawal of its forces, and if, in Europe's view, that was actually premature, that it was dangerous to do so, is there any greater chance today than there was two years ago, that either French troops or German troops or any other -- i mean, there aren't a lot of other European troops. But, you know, we see the Spanish have withdrawn. The Italians are talking about withdrawing. I'm wondering how we can internationalize the process when the training seems to be moving in the other direction.

J-D LEVITTE : well, Ted, I don't think we'll send troops. President Chirac has been clear on that. And for one good reason. It would only fuel the feeling of occupation that the Iraqis have in their minds today. So, what we are ready to do is to help the Iraqis themselves to take care of their own security needs. And that's why we have proposed and we will do it in the coming weeks and months, to train the Iraqi gendarmerie, the military police. That's the kind of French contribution that could make a difference, which would be very useful in our view.

TK : thank you, Mr. ambassador. the gentleman up here –

Sen George ALLEN, Foreign Relations Committee, chairman of the European affairs committee : I want to thank, first of all, the French for their assistance in Afghanistan. They very much have helped there. Obviously difference than the military action in Iraq. With the election of people, Iraqis to govern, and the constitution and the ultimate ratification of the constitution later this year, how will that change France's views as to request for assistance -- not from the United States, but the request from duly-elected members of the national assembly in Iraq? will that change your viewpoint? or your calculations in the sort of assistance that France might provide to the Iraqi government?

JDL : of course, senator. and we very much welcome the next government because it will be an elected government. And then, there will be a constitution. And then, there will be new elections. And so, this is the process. We support the process. It would be very difficult, everybody knows that. But we are ready to help, for instance, the new assembly to be well-equipped to -- we have 14 parties, Iraqi parties in France a few weeks ago to get accustomed to what is our democratic life in France. And so on. so, you will see, in my view, a growing convergence between the Europeans and the US to help build a better future for Iraq. But no troops. >>