Riva del Garda, 08/09/2003 (Agence Europe) - While the preparation of a resolution on Iraq continues at the United Nations, tension between Europeans seemed to ease during the informal meeting of foreign ministers in Riva del Garda at the weekend.
Answering questions on rapprochement between French and British positions, the French minister, Dominique de Villepin, pointed out that they share "many common concerns (…)" and that he believes the "aim of both sides is largely similar". He gave his assurance that his intention is to result in the context of UN discussions on "concrete and constructive proposals". British Minister Jack Straw said he was "optimistic" about the outcome of discussions. "I do not believe opinions differ over the need to restore sovereignty in Iraq as quickly as possible, nor on strengthening the political process or on the enhanced role of the UN", he said. He specified that, whatever disagreements they might have had earlier in the year, there is full agreement on the fact that their common interest is to improve security, continue the political process and, of course, improve the life of the Iraqi population.
Before the meeting in Riva del Garda, France and Germany had considered that there was still "considerable work" to be done on the proposal of resolution presented by the United States for intensifying the international presence in Iraq and ensuring transition towards free elections. Dominique de Villepin nonetheless said on Saturday when speaking to reporters that this is "a step in the right direction". German Minister Joschka Fischer remarked that the American initiative has set things in motion at the United Nations Security Council and is positive.
Dominique de Villepin stressed that, for France, the transfer of sovereignty toward the Iraqi people must be the "point of departure and not the point of arrival". It will not be enough to secure the security situation to bring lasting stability, he said, insisting: "the answer must above all be political".
Mr de Villepin urged for a three-stage political plan: make the provisional governing council and the council of ministers the provisional trustee of Iraqi sovereignty, entrusting the executive power to these bodies; establish a timetable for general elections with the United Nations and set in place a constituent assembly and elections for a democratic government.
At the economic level, France urges for reconstruction in Iraq to be entrusted to the Iraqi bodies responsible for administering the country, with control of all financial resources being carried out by Iraqi authorities with international community support through a donors' conference mechanism.
On the military level, France considers that the setting in place of a multinational force must be decided by a mandate from the Security Council and be to the service of the new Iraqi authorities.