Today's Date:

THE MINISTER – From the outset, we wanted to adopt a responsible and clear-sighted attitude. Responsible, because confronted with the spiral of violence and terrorism which is worsening, against a background of extreme tension throughout the Middle East, it’s important that the unity of the international community clearly prevails. Clear-sighted, because the negotiation begun in New York is a step in the right direction. A certain amount of progress was noted compared with the previous draft, like the principle of the handover of sovereignty, recognition of the importance of the constitutional process, a greater role for the interim Governing Council, and Security Council control over the future international force.

THE MINISTER – That’s true: there’s no precise timescale. The American representative in Iraq retains his prerogatives until the formation of a government following a general election, and this risks being a long way off. From this point of view, the text doesn’t go far enough. As regards the central role of the United Nations, it’s still limited, which is understandable so long as there’s still an occupation regime. Why did we agree to swallow our reservations? Because, in this increasingly difficult situation, we’re choosing openness and action; we don’t want to hold up a process. As a result of this unanimous vote, the US administration and the coalition forces will be forced to face up to their responsibilities. We firmly believe that we should act faster and more boldly.

THE MINISTER – This isn’t the time for satisfaction, or self-satisfaction in the wake of the passing of a Security Council resolution. Ever since the end of the war, all the resolutions have been passed unanimously. This shows the extent to which we’re all aware of what’s at stake. But, I repeat, this resolution is still too timid; it still isn’t commensurate with Iraq’s needs. The Americans, today, feel that they can’t do more. We’re telling them: “This isn’t enough to create the conditions for Iraq’s genuine reconstruction, but we hope that the momentum thus created will allow us to move forward”. So we’re not holding anything up, while at the same time telling the Americans it’s up to them to bring about some change in the situation. It’s our role as a friend and ally, our duty as French and Europeans. The temptation for an occupying power is always to consider that a country isn’t ready to take control of its own destiny. We must have the courage to learn from history, which has so often proved tragic when action is too late./.