Bangalore: With war clouds thickening over Iraq in the wake of US adopting a tough
posture accusing President Saddam Hussein of concealing weapons and programmes of
mass destruction, France on February 6 stuck to its earlier stand that war should be
a last resort but insisted on weapons destruction.
"We are committed to every process to prevent war. We ask Iraq to do that and show
their co-operation to attain that objective (destruction of weapons," France Premier
Jean Pierre Raffarin told reporters on his arrival to the city on a day's visit.
When his attention was drawn to the US Secretary of the State Collin Powell's
address to the United Nations Security Council on February 5 at which he said his
country had irrefutable and undeniable evidence on Saddam concealing weapons and
programmes of mass destruction, Raffarin remarked there was no change in French
position and the on-going inspections should continue.
To a specific query whether France will prevent the war, Raffarin said, "We don't
want war. We believe in other ways to destroy weapons. We always believe war is a
last resort."
Raffarin called upon the international community to stand united on weapon
destruction by Iraq and demanded the United Nations Security Council to take a
decision.
He said France looked at India for friendship and good neighbourhood relationship.
He said India has great potential and hailed its strides made in the scientific and
space sectors.
Raffarin said France wanted to further strengthen its economic and cultural ties
with India.
Raffarin, who is leading a high-level business delegation, was accorded a warm
welcome at the airport by the Karnataka Minister for Social welfare
A Krishnappa.
The French Prime Minister will visit Aero India 2003 show and participate in an
inter-action organised with Indian businessmen by CII.
PTI
