France sees role for self in revival of post-war Iraq

Far from feeling sidelined now that war is imminent, France sees itself as a key player in the next phase of the Iraq crisis when it comes t...

Far from feeling sidelined now that war is imminent, France sees itself as a key player in the next phase of the Iraq crisis when it comes to managing the country after Saddam Hussein is gone.

One argument heard recently was that France might not block the pro-war resolution Washington sought from the UN as it would have sidelined the Security Council.

France could aid coalition against Iraq: CNN
Washington: France may assist a US-led military coalition if Iraq used biological and chemical weapons, the French ambassador to US told CNN on Tuesday. ‘‘If Saddam Hussein were to use chemical and biological weapons, this would change the situation completely and immediately for the French government,’’ Jean-David Levitte said.

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Foreign Ministers to attend UN meeting
United Nations: UN spokesman Fred Eckhard said that despite the withdrawal of troops at least seven key foreign ministers of the 15 Security Council members are expected to attend a UNSC meeting on Wednesday. — Agencies

But Paris, whose threatened veto torpedoed the resolution, thinks it will stand aside only for the war phase in Iraq before bounding back into an influential position as the UN is called on to help solve a raft of post-victory problems.

Foreign Minister Dominique de Villepin has thrown the issue forward to raise questions of what will happen in Iraq once Saddam is overthrown.

‘‘Everyone knows one can win a war quickly but no country can alone construct peace,’’ he said on Monday. ‘‘We think the UN cannot be ignored and will be at the heart of the management of Iraq after Saddam Hussein.’’

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Looking beyond the tensions that France’s veto threat caused with its partners, other Europeans apparently agree. ‘‘We want them to be involved, although that may not be the way the Americans look at it,’’ one British official said.

France believes the Security Council, where it has a permanent seat, should have a say on post-war issues as varied as humanitarian aid, trade sanctions and future oil policy. The US has been reported to be planning a two-year military administration for post-war Iraq, but Iraqi Opposition leaders said on Monday they had been told Washington wanted to hand over power to Iraqi civilians within weeks of victory. Villepin said in another interview that the issue of legitimacy would be the first question to confront any post-Saddam administration. (Reuters)