France rules out troops for Iraq

AlJazeera ^ | September 23, 2004

[Stoat]

France rules out troops for Iraq
by
Thursday 23 September 2004 6:23 PM GMT

 

Barnier: Chaos will end only when Iraqis take charge of own future

 

France has repeated its criticism of the US-led war in Iraq and ruled out sending troops to that country.

 

French Foreign Minister Michel Barnier told the UN General Assembly on Thursday, "As everyone knows, France did not approve of the conditions in which the conflict was unleashed. Neither today nor tomorrow will it commit itself militarily in Iraq."

 

He added: "In Iraq, violence is exploding. Only when the Iraqis themselves take control of their future ... will the country be able to escape the chaos which could destabilise the entire region."

 

 

The United States and UN Secretary General Kofi Annan have both called for troops to be sent to Iraq, in particular for a dedicated force to protect UN personnel helping to prepare for elections by the end of January 2005.

 

 

But France, one of the harshest critics of the war that brought down Saddam Hussein, has repeatedly ruled out any military participation in Iraq.

 

 

Annan's fears

 

None the less, France "reaffirms its willingness, with its European partners, to assist the Iraqi people in rebuilding their country and restoring their institutions", Barnier said.

 

 

UN chief Annan has got France's
backing for his 'illegal war' view

 

In an interview with BBC on Wednesday, Annan also expressed fears that holding credible elections in Iraq might not be possible as planned in January 2005, in view of the escalating violence.

 

"I am one of those who believe that there should have been a second resolution from the UN Security Council to green-light the US-led invasion that toppled Saddam Hussein's regime," Annan said.

 

"I have indicated that it was not in conformity with the UN charter from our point of view, and from the charter point of view it was illegal," he said.

 

France expressed support for Annan's position, but the US and UK governments strongly objected to the UN chief's remarks.

 

AFP

[UCANSEE2]

All anger aside, you are correct. I still say don't come asking, we will be doing so before you ask, as many,many people in our nation have the same respectable attitude and humane concern for life you do.

You earned my respect.