Jun 30, 2003, 10:10 PM

Iraq War Unjustified If WMD Not Found: French Official

TEHRAN, June 30 (Mehr News Agency) – An informed source at the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in Paris on Monday that France will not accept the U.S. campaign against Baghdad as justified if Washington fails to prove its claim that Iraq possessed weapons of mass destruction (WMD).

 

 

The official told the Mehr News Agency that the position of Paris regarding the U.S.-led war on Iraq remained unchanged, stressing that if the existence of Iraqi WMDs is not proven, France will adopt new measures against Washington.

 

"We believe that to arrive at a conclusion on the issue, a UN investigation about Iraq's WMDs must be carried out," said the source who spoke on condition of anonymity.

 

He said that France cannot adopt a specific position until UN inspections on Iraq's WMDs are completed.

 

Elsewhere in his remarks, the official said France has asked Iran to sign the additional protocol of the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and set the stage for inspection missions of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

 

He added that Iran must join the NPT protocol as requested by the international community.

 

The source said France, just like other European states, respects IAEA reports regarding Iran's nuclear activities, adding that Paris will go along with the international community if the IAEA decides that Iran must unconditionally join the protocol. 

 

He added, "If Iran does not agree to join the protocol, it will be standing against the international community, and this is not acceptable to the international community."

 

"Preventing the proliferation of nuclear weapons and promoting international disarmament programs are important tasks of the IAEA, and all countries must cooperate with the agency in that connection," he said in conclusion.

 

AA/HG

end

MNA

 

 

News ID 430

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