PRESS CONFERENCE BY PRESIDENT JACQUES CHIRAC OF FRANCE

PRESS CONFERENCE BY PRESIDENT JACQUES CHIRAC OF FRANCE

While the current governmental institutions in Iraq were not in a position to shoulder full sovereignty, a process of handing over responsibility could begin on the basis of a clear political statement, and develop progressively at a rate consonant with developments in the country Iraq, French President Jacques Chirac said at a Headquarters press conference today.

He said that a transfer of responsibility would be a very clear-cut symbolic gesture that might require a United Nations resolution.  It would be gradual, perhaps taking place over three, six or nine months, no one could say.  However, the current situation risked further deterioration and it was up to the Iraqi people to decide their own fate.

Saying he had just met with United States President George W. Bush, he said there was a deep friendship between their two countries, as well as significant points of convergence on ideas, even if the two leaders had different ways of managing things.  Regarding Iraq, he said, “We have common objectives”, namely the restoration of peace, reconstruction and democracy.  There were also some differences of opinion.  He had told President Bush that today’s situation, essentially an occupation, was very difficult for the Iraqis, who were an old people with a long, ancient history and culture.

Responding to questions about the apparent split between France and the United States, he said that among the points of convergence between the two countries was an emphasis on non-proliferation, which was the greatest threat facing the whole world today.  A second point was the renewed commitment, resolutely expressed by President Bush, to combat crimes against humanity and trafficking in human beings.

To a question about a rapprochement between himself and Mr. Bush, he replied that he had never felt alienated from the American President, and so did not think there was any need for a rapprochement.

Asked about a New York Times column in which Thomas Friedman had written that France was becoming an enemy of the United States and its people, President Chirac said that, in a democracy, everyone was free to express their opinion.

Regarding the General Assembly session, he said he had never seen so many heads of State and government in attendance, a definite sign that the Organization was not discredited, as some would have the rest believe.  Another message was that a great deal of attention must be paid to developing tensions, he said.  Iraq was one case in point, but so was the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which could have very dangerous implications worldwide, creating reactions and counter-reactions that challenged world security.

Replying to a question about the Middle East “Road Map”, he said that he and President Bush had agreed that a ministerial-level Quartet meeting to be held in a few days should not allow it simply to disappear into oblivion as a result of the dramatic circumstances on the ground.

Turning to questions about reform of the Security Council, he said he approved of the Secretary-General’s proposal of an increased membership.  There were countries, once unknown, that had become very important for political and economic reasons.  He said he favoured the inclusion of Germany and Japan, since their economies were essential in today’s world.  He also favoured increasing the number of elected members.

Asked if he advocated India’s inclusion as a permanent member, he said it was hard to imagine how one could exclude that country from the possibility of holding a permanent seat, given its characteristics.  Some countries were natural candidates, but he could not prejudge the outcome.

In response to a question about Palestinian Authority President Yasser Arafat, President Chirac said Mr. Arafat was the elected Palestinian leader and that was why the common European position was hostile towards any design to neutralize him in any way.  Mr. Arafat was the only person today who enjoyed sufficient authority over the Palestinians to bring about an agreement that would necessarily involve sacrifice on the Palestinian side.  However, that should not be construed to mean an assessment of Mr. Arafat’s policies or political position, he added.

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