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International
De Villepin: no new battle fronts
2003-04-14
Foreign minister says time not right to apply pressure on Syria
The right time would've been years ago, but we're remedying that unfortunate delay.
Visiting French Foreign Minister Dominique de Villepin said Sunday that the international community should concentrate on rebuilding Iraq rather than “opening new battle fronts.” Speaking to reporters at Beirut International Airport after meeting with Lebanese leaders, de Villepin said the time was inappropriate for Washington to apply pressure on Syria.
”Please! You can’t find out anything else we’ve done! It will discredit us in the international world!”
When asked on France’s position toward Washington’s accusations against Damascus, he called for “consultation and dialogue” to resolve the current conflict in Iraq, rather than escalating pressure. “The time is for consultation, for dialogue and we should be consolidating our energies to try and find solutions because we have enough problems,” he said.

 Like the French.
“To find a solution, we need to have concerted action,” he said, calling for “dialogue between all the countries of the region and with the international community, Europe and the United States.” He added that after the collapse of Iraqi regime, “the Middle East does not need a new war. We have to concentrate on giving the Iraqi people the victory they deserve.” He also focused on the need to restore security in Iraq and establish a representative Iraqi government.
We’re already working on it, twit.
In recent weeks, Syria has been subjected to verbal attacks from members of the US administration. It has repeatedly been accused of aiding Iraq and of providing military and logistical help to Baghdad. “Democracy cannot be imposed, it needs to be created in a climate of respect,” France’s top diplomat said. He stressed that “international law is capable of finding a solution to guarantee Iraq’s future and it is illogical that the UN’s role be limited to humanitarian aspects, since we cannot dissociate them from military and political aspects.”
Yeah – the UN did SO well finding a solution to Saddam. *snort*
During his 24-hour visit to Beirut, de Villepin met with President Emile Lahoud, Prime Minister Rafik Hariri and Speaker Nabih Berri before heading for Riyadh, the last stop in his Mideast tour. De Villepin also visited Cairo and Damascus. Before his departure, he held a joint conference at Beirut airport with his Lebanese counterpart, Mahmoud Hammoud.
Aw, COME ON! That name HAS to have been made up!
Asked about his position on the Syrian presence in Lebanon, he said that “France is keen on seeing the fulfilment of the Taif Accords,” which ended the Lebanese civil war and called for a phased pull out of Syrian troops. Hammoud reiterated the official stance, that Syria’s presence here is legitimate and had the full endorsement of the local authorities. Earlier in Baabda Palace, Lahoud warned that the escalation of violence in Iraq and in the Occupied Territories will increase terrorism. He also called on the European Union and the United Nations to step in before it becomes too late. Lahoud also lauded French President Jacques Chirac’s anti-war position and his keenness on seeing the UN take over in Iraq. He reaffirmed that any possible solution to the Iraqi conflict had to come through the League of United Nations, adding that its role should not be limited to humanitarian issues.
Looking forward to the Food for Nooky program, is he?
Lahoud said that the current political vacuum and the subsequent chaos in Iraq will have negative repercussions for the region’s future. Regarding the so-called “road map” for regional peace, which was endorsed by the EU, Russia, the US and the UN and which calls for a Palestinian state within three years, Lahoud said it was too early to take a position on the plan since it had yet to be published. Lahoud said it seemed Israel was trying to place conditions on the plan, which could not be accepted by Lebanon, such as the nationalization of refugees in their countries of residence. In addition, Lahoud repeated that Lebanon’s refusal to settle Palestinian refugees was final and one of the pillars of the Taif Accord. He also stressed the importance of activating the road map without any alteration, as a necessary step toward achieving peace in the Arab-Israeli conflict. Lahoud said that the mechanism for peace should begin with the publication of the plan, and be followed by the declaration of a cease-fire on both the Israeli and Palestinian sides.
Yes
 their previous cease-fires went smashingly.
He also called for steps to shoulder the development of the Palestinian state and the holding an international assembly to declare a Palestinian state. Discussing the peace plan and Iraq is high on de Villepin’s agenda during his tour. De Villepin said the French and Lebanese positions on the Iraqi conflict were in agreement, with both calling for a UN sponsored solution.
“We’ll veto if you want to go to war, we’ll veto if you want the UN to do anything after the war, we want a UN resolution 
 BLAH BLAH BLAHH BLAH.. “
De Villepin also briefed Lahoud on the Saint Petersburg summit between French President Jacques Chirac, Russian President Vladimir Putin and German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder and on the preparations for an upcoming European summit in Greece next week. In Ain al-Mreisseh, the speaker said Washington’s repeated threats to Damascus in recent weeks did not concern its help to Iraq, but were rather aimed at “deterring any objection movement to what is to come regarding the Palestinian cause.”
Showing his astute understanding of absolutely nothing, again. Gotta find something to take care of that De Villepin.
Posted by:Tadderly

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