Washington Moves Again to Isolate France [View All]

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Steven R. Weisman/NYT The New York Times

WASHINGTON The Bush administration, incensed by France's demands for greater United Nations oversight in Iraq, is working to isolate France and win a majority at the UN Security Council for the American approach, according to administration officials.
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In an echo of a tactic the administration tried earlier this year, without notable success, Secretary of State Colin Powell is stepping up his efforts to enlist the support of Russia, Germany and other nations for American control over the occupation and transition to self-rule in Iraq, even though many of them sided with France in opposing the war, the officials said Thursday.
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"Powell is upset about the French, but the fact is they are not in a combative mood on this," a senior European diplomat said. "Behind closed doors, the French are saying they would never dream of vetoing. There is no fighting spirit here."
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The French-American rift is over a French proposal for the United Nations to supplant the United States as the leading player overseeing Iraq's transition to democracy, as well as a more rapid turnover of sovereignty to Iraqis, perhaps in as little as a month. The U.S. believes the Iraqis are not ready.

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