BBC: French Obstacle to Iraq Force Plans

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French Obstacle to Iraq Force Plans

By Barnaby Mason
BBC diplomatic correspondent

American and British efforts to secure a new Security Council resolution authorising an expanded international security force in Iraq have run into difficulties.

The British Foreign Secretary, Jack Straw, has met the UN Secretary-General, Kofi Annan, in New York - following in the footsteps of the American Secretary of State, Colin Powell.

But France has now cast doubt on the whole idea of sending more foreign troops to Iraq.

(....) French Foreign Minister Dominique de Villepin said he was not sure they should get into what he called a security escalation or game of one-upmanship.

He said a trap had been laid: Iraqi nationalists, Islamic militants and terrorists had come together, and the risk was of a worsening cycle of violence.

Mr de Villepin suggested all parties should rethink their involvement in Iraq: the starting point was to recognise Iraqi sovereignty so that the people felt they were in command of their destiny.

As before the Iraq war, France is leading the opposition to the US and Britain, but its general message is echoed by Germany and Russia.

All three want the UN to have a more central role, especially in guiding the political transition.

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[Name removed]

1. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[bemildred]

3. Exactly.

They had their chance.
Now they won't get to send troops.

[madrchsod]

4. what third world are you

talking about? is it a central american country?

[xray s]

2. He is basically telling Bush...

...to stick his freedom fries up his ass...sideways.