Powell puts France on notice
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http://www.msnbc.com/news/888057.asp?0cv=CB10
Secretary of State Colin Powell has warned France that it will face consequences over its unyielding opposition to the U.S.-led war in Iraq. Even as France appeared eager to mend fences, the top U.S. diplomat -- viewed as the least hawkish among the top Bush administration figures -- indicated that Washington was reviewing its overall relationship with the government of President Jacques Chirac.
FRANCE, ALONG with Russia and Germany, took a leading role in opposing efforts by the United States and its allies Britain and Spain to obtain a new resolution at theSecurity Councilthat would have authorized military action against Iraq.
After a bare-knuckle diplomatic fight, Washington abandoned the U.N. route, blaming France for its determination to reject any new resolution, and its vigorous lobbying of three African members of the Security Council whose votes were pivotal.
Powell, interviewed Tuesday on the Charlie Rose television show, recalled the period as difficult, saying France didn't play a helpful role.
"It's over and we have to take a look at the relationship. We have to look at all aspects of our relationship with France in light of this," Powell said according to a transcript of the interview provided by the State Department.
Asked if there were consequences for having stood up to the United States, Powell replied "yes" but did not elaborate.
Earlier, State Department spokesman Richard Boucher suggested the disagreement over Iraq would have an effect on U.S. ties with other nations, but he declined to be specific.
"We have made clear that there are opportunities to work with allies in the reconstruction of Iraq and bringing a better life for the Iraqi people. There are opportunities to work with allies on other issues, but that also the recent events and disagreements will have an effect on our views and our relationships," Boucher told reporters.
MENDING TIES
Powell's remarks came on the heels of anunexpected proposalat the United Nations by the French ambassador, who called for U.N. sanctions on Iraq to be suspended. The suggestion went some ways toward meeting U.S. demands that the curbs should be lifted given the downfall of Saddam Hussein's regime.
Last week, France's Chirac spoke with President Bush for the first time in more than two months in an apparent effort to mend frayed relations between the two countries.
But the U.S. administration may be in no hurry to get cozy with the French. The bitterness over the U.N. debate still lingers and American commentators have suggested France's new approach is driven by a fear of missing out on the postwar reconstruction bonanza in Iraq.
So far only American companies have benefited from the early contracts awarded to help rebuild Iraq's infrastructure.
The United States also has balked at giving a role to the United Nations in Iraq. Part of the French proposal called for the complete lifting of sanctions only after weapons inspectors verified that Iraq is free of weapons of mass destruction.
U.S. officials have rejected any role for the U.N. monitors, saying that coalition forces will undertake the task of verifying the existence of banned weapons in Iraq.
DEFENDING INTERNATIONAL LAW
Foreign Minister Dominique de Villepin, in a statement released by his ministry in Paris during his visit to Ankara, said France had sought during the crisis to defend international law -- a phrase hinting at a leading role for the United Nations -- and most countries around the world supported this stand.
"During the whole Iraq crisis, France has acted along with a very large majority of the international community and according to its convictions and principles to defend international law," he said. "It will continue to do this in any circumstances."
The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.
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