19/09/2002 (Agence Europe) - Belgian Socialist MEP Jean-Maurice Dehousse, has asserted that the decision of Belgian Socialist Véronique de Keyser to go on a mission to Iraq, did not reflect any commitments made by the Socialist Party at the European Parliament, "which had taken no decisions on the subject and wouldn't be taking any". Mr Dehousse acknowledged, however, that they would listen "with interest" to Véronique de Keyser when she got back. Speaking in a personal capacity, Mr Dehousse explained that criticism made by Jacques Chirac of the French MPs who took part in the mission (see EUROPE 16/17 September p 9), were amusing insofar as, "I have not forgotten the affectionate declarations of the latter (Mr Chirac) when he was Prime Minister, for Saddam Hussein" nor the fact that Mr Chirac had provided Saddam Hussein with a nuclear power plant.