The Hindu : Raffarin, Vajpayee reject Bush stand on Iraq

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Feb 08, 2003

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Raffarin, Vajpayee reject Bush stand on Iraq

By Vaiju Naravane

The French Prime Minister, Jean-Pierre Raffarin, and his wife, Anee Marrie, being welcomed by his counterpart, Atal Behari Vajpayee, at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi on Friday. Mr. Raffarin's visit was marked by the signing of four aeronautical contracts. — Photo: Rajeev Bhatt

New Delhi Feb. 7. The visiting French Prime Minister, Jean-Pierrre Raffarin and India's Prime Minister, Atal Behari Vajpayee today adopted identical positions on Iraq and rejected out of hand the U.S. President, George Bush's contention that ``the game is over for Iraq''. Both leaders however also called on Iraq to cooperate fully and actively with the UN inspectors so that the Security Council could make an enlightened decision.

At a joint press conference at the end of the French Premier's two-day official visit to India, Mr. Vajpayee, in response to a question said: ``I don't think the game is over. Evidence produced by America should be carefully examined. Inspectors should be encouraged to continue with their work and to make efforts to find out whether weapons are being shielded. I hope Iraq fully cooperates with the UN Security Council. The UNSC needs to use all the wisdom of its members to resolve the matter.

Mr. Raffarin said the French position was identical to that of India's. ``It's not a game. It's not over. There is an alternative to war and we hope that the process begun under Resolution 1441 of the United Nations will be allowed to run its course.''

He said the French position on Iraq had not changed after the U.S. Secretary of State, Colin Powell's presentation at the United Nations. ``It's a contribution and we encourage all countries who have information to communicate it to the inspectors before they present their report to the United Nations on February 14. It is only then that the Security Council will be in a position to assess the situation. We have said we do not wish for war. Iraq can still change the situation by going from passive to active cooperation to enable the inspectors to fulfil their mission and for the Security Council to assess the situation.''

Asked about reports that a decision had been taken finalising the purchase of 43 Airbus aircraft for Indian Airlines, Mr. Vajpayee said: ``The purchase of Airbus is under consideration and now a decision is going to be made final in a short time.''

Mr. Raffarin today concluded a whirlwind two-day visit to India marked by the signing of four contracts in the aeronautical sector. Today Mr. Raffarin met the President, Abdul Kalam, the Vice President, Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, the Foreign Minister, Yashwant Sinha and had both a tete-a- tete and an enlarged discussion with Mr. Vajpayee. The French premier was accompanied by four ministers.

Mr. Raffarin did not hide the fact that he had pressed the Indian Government for a quick conclusion to the Airbus contract. He said the decision by the Board of Indian Airlines in March 2002 to opt for the Airbus reflected the confidence that existed between the two countries. ``We are now awaiting the decision of the Indian Government. Friendship always takes time,'' he said.

The two leaders laid great emphasis on the excellent relations between the two countries. Mr Raffarin saluted India's democratic traditions and the continuing dialogue with civil society. In a clear reference to Kashmir, Mr. Raffarin praised India for organising elections ``in a part of the world which had very painful territorial difficulties''. He said France shared India's concern on terrorism and said it condemned it in any form.

The French premier admitted that the economic relationship between the two countries did not reflect the closeness of ties and pledged to do more, especially in getting Indian students over to France.

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