DATE=12/17/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-243147
TITLE=FRANCE / IRAQ (L)
BYLINE=JULIAN NUNDY
DATELINE=PARIS
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:  FRANCE HAS DISASSOCIATED ITSELF FROM THE U-S-LED AIR 
STRIKES ON IRAQ BUT ALSO CRITICIZED BAGHDAD FOR ITS CONTINUING 
FAILURE TO COOPERATE WITH UNITED NATIONS ARMS INSPECTORS.  JULIAN
NUNDY REPORTS FROM PARIS.

TEXT:  IN A STATEMENT ISSUED SOON AFTER THE UNITED STATES AND 
BRITAIN BEGAN AIR STRIKES ON IRAQ, THE FRENCH FOREIGN MINISTRY 
SAID FRANCE REGRETS WHAT IT CALLS "THE ESCALATION" LEADING TO 
MILITARY ACTION.

SAYING IT FEARED THAT IT IS THE IRAQI PEOPLE WHO WILL SUFFER 
MOST, THE FOREIGN MINISTRY SAID THE U-S DECISION TO RESORT TO 
MILITARY ACTION WAS A RESULT OF IRAQ'S FAILURE TO COOPERATE FULLY
WITH THE UNITED NATIONS. 

ALTHOUGH FRANCE WAS PART OF THE ORIGINAL AMERICAN-LED COALITION 
THAT DROVE IRAQ OUT OF KUWAIT NEARLY EIGHT YEARS AND HAS 
CONTINUED TO PARTICIPATE IN SURVEILLANCE OPERATIONS IN THE 
REGION, PARIS HAS LONG ARGUED THAT THE TIME FOR MILITARY ACTION 
IS OVER.

THROUGHOUT RECENT MONTHS OF RECURRING CRISES BETWEEN BAGHDAD AND 
WASHINGTON, FRANCE HAS MADE IT CLEAR THAT IT WOULD  NOT  SUPPORT 
NEW BOMBARDMENTS OF SITES WHERE WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION ARE 
ALLEGEDLY BEING DEVELOPED OR STORED. 

FRENCH MEDIA, ALSO REFLECTING AN UNEASE AT THE LATEST ACTION, 
WERE QUICK TO NOTE THAT THE AIR STRIKES COINCIDE WITH NEW MOVES 
IN CONGRESS THAT COULD LEAD TO THE IMPEACHMENT OF PRESIDENT 
CLINTON. 

ALTHOUGH FRANCE HAS BEEN SUPPORTING A POLICY!OF DIALOGUE WITH 
BAGHDAD, EVEN FRENCH OFFICIALS ADMIT THAT IRAQ HAS SHOWN  NO  
SIGN OF BEING READY TO COMPROMISE AND MEET THE DEMANDS OF THE 
INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY. 

BEFORE THE GULF WAR OF 1991, FRANCE WAS IRAQ'S BIGGEST WESTERN 
SUPPLIER OF ARMS.  FRANCE GAVE IRAQ CRUCIAL SUPPORT IN ITS LONG 
AND BITTER WAR WITH IRAN IN THE 1980S, FOR EXAMPLE. 

IN RECENT YEARS, FRENCH COMPANIES, PARTICULARLY OIL AND BUILDING 
FIRMS, HAVE BEEN POISED TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE OPENING WHEN 
TRADE SANCTIONS AGAINST IRAQ ARE FINALLY ENDED.  (SIGNED)

NEB/JWN/JWH/PLM

17-Dec-98 6:26 AM EST (1126 UTC)
NNNN

Source: Voice of America
.