Article

2003-03-10 Iraq

French President Jacques Chirac says he's likely to go to New York on Tuesday for the Security Council vote on a new US pro-war resolution and has told advisers he has already invited Russian President Vladimir Putin and German chancellor Gerhard Schroeder to accompany him. Presidential diplomatic advisers have told Dawn that Mr Chirac "could very well go" to New York to cast France's veto, but that the president would "prefer making the trip to New York to relish the victory of the Franco-German-Russian position" following a simple vote by the Security Council's fifteen permanent and non-permanent members.

Indeed, say the advisers, the French president is "fairly confident" that the joint Franco-German-Russian opposition to a US resolution will result in a clear-cut defeat that will not require use of France's veto, nor those of Russia or for that matter China's. They say Mr Chirac is "eagerly awaiting" the outcome of the mission to Africa by French Foreign Minister Dominique de Villepin on Sunday and Monday. The foreign minister has been instructed by his president to "come back with at least two" of the Security Council votes to be cast by three states: Cameroon, Guinea and Angola.

Cameroon, whose president Paul Biya is a faithful ally of France, is likely to support the French position on a war with Iraq, but Mr de Villepin is leaving Paris absolutely uncertain, says one of the sources. If Mr de Villepin comes back with only Cameroon's vote, advisers say, the US may lose the Security Council vote anyway. But even if he doesn't, Mr Chirac will be ready to pull out his veto.

Posted by ishmail 2003-03-10 06:56 am|| || Front Page|| [11135 views since 2007-05-07] Top

#1 Why has the image of a slavering pack of hyenas popped into my head? If they're going all the way NY to plant their flags in the UN, they might as well take it back with them when they return. Chirac's doing us a favour raising the stakes like this, but I'll bet Putin and Schroeder don't play ball.

Posted by Bulldog 2003-03-10 05:18:24|| 2003-03-10 05:18:24|| Front Page Top

#2 Mr. Chirac will be escorted from the airport by a team of NYC firefighters.

Posted by Chuck 2003-03-10 08:30:59|| [blog.simmins.org] 2003-03-10 08:30:59|| Front Page Top

#3 Is this a suprise to anyone? He got turned down for the summit of Security Council leaders he was asking for, so he still needs some sort of outlet to strut like a peacock. He's going to have his mug in front of the world audience one way or another.

Posted by g wiz 2003-03-10 09:40:56|| 2003-03-10 09:40:56|| Front Page Top

#4 Comin' over ta Neew Yawk for a sidewalk egg, tomato and fruit salad, are yuh, Chiraqqi? Welcome to duh pahty!

Posted by Alaska Paul 2003-03-10 12:52:13|| 2003-03-10 12:52:13|| Front Page Top

#5 Froggy boy'd better stay over on the river. Folks in other parts of Manhattan'd slug his ass for fun.

Posted by mojo 2003-03-10 19:06:53|| 2003-03-10 19:06:53|| Front Page Top

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