Reply #48: Who do you believe Chirac, or Bush? [View All]

[Feanorcurufinwe]

INSPECTIONS TIMETABLE

Q. – Would you be ready to propose a tighter timetable for the inspections programme?

THE MINISTER – Absolutely, we said so at the 7 March Security Council meeting. we're ready to work on the basis of a tighter timetable once the inspectors have themselves decided how long they need to complete their inspections. We clearly indicated that in UNSCR 1441. There's an obligatory process. The two-stage process, the two stages of responsible action. To do the utmost to move forward on the inspections route and, if we find ourselves at a dead end, then to face up to our responsibilities. And there's a designated referee: the inspectors. It's for them to report to us. It's on the basis of the inspectors' assessment and reports that the Security Council must appraise the progress which has been made.

Q. – At the outset there was some talk of 120 days. You've talked about 60 days. Are you coming round to the undecided countries' idea of 30 to 45 days?

THE MINISTER – We're in close touch with them. UNSCR 1284 refers to 120 days precisely in order to allow the establishment of the inspectors' work programme. If the inspectors tell us that they can do this work in a shorter time, we're obviously flexible. We want a solution and we're trying to get a consensus on the Security Council.

Q. – You're still hoping for peace?

THE MINISTER – We believe that so long as nothing irrevocable has been done, we must indeed do the utmost to try and move forward and that's what we're doing.

US

Q. – How do you explain this sudden US impatience?

THE MINISTER – I believe that the Americans are determined, they've said so several times. They have a massive military presence on the ground. We think progress can be made through the peaceful disarmament route. Today they say they have doubts. Everyone is responsible for the position they defend.

Q. – Today what way out of the crisis can be found to save the international community's unity?

THE MINISTER – I believe that the way out of the crisis is to try both to define a credible programme for the inspectors' work and a time-frame which allows us swiftly to press on and complete the inspections. I believe that this is genuinely what most, not to say a very large majority of the Security Council members want.
http://www.france.diplomatie.fr/actu/bulletin.gb.asp?liste=20030314.gb.html

So Bush says the French were inflexible. They say they just wanted a peaceful solution. If you want to believe Bush, I guess that is your choice.