Post by bot on Jun 5, 2004 20:30:54 GMT -5
US, France Seek Reconciliation, Deal on Iraq
Sat Jun 5, 2004 07:55 PM ET
By Timothy Heritage
www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=topNews&storyID=5352623
PARIS (Reuters) - The United States and France hope an agreement will be reached soon on a U.N. resolution on the transfer of power to Iraq, presidents George W. Bush and Jacques Chirac said.
They expressed their optimism at a joint news conference on Saturday after talks intended to repair relations strained by last year's U.S.-led invasion of Iraq, which France opposed.
Even so, they avoided eye contact with each other and there was little warmth in their handshakes before cameras at the Elysee Palace. Chirac acknowledged their differences over Iraq and said the situation in the country was still "precarious."
The two leaders also made no reference to thousands of anti-war protesters who marched through Paris under banners declaring "Bush - terrorist number one!." Police kept the protesters far away from the Elysee Palace.
Bush and Chirac will continue efforts to rebuild ties on Sunday at ceremonies in Normandy commemorating the 60th anniversary of the Allied forces' landings in northern France on June 6, 1944 which helped liberate Europe during World War II.
"France and the United States have 200 years of shared history and for 200 years, for two centuries, have defended and upheld the same values -- the values of democracy, peace and human rights. Dialogue has always been easy," Chirac said.
Bush said: "We have great relations with France. We work closely with the French government on a lot of issues."
NEW DRAFT RESOLUTION
Relations have, however, been dogged by the spat over the invasion of Iraq and over plans for its future.
London and Washington submitted a new text on the transfer of power in Iraq on Friday after France, Russia and China -- veto-wielding members of the U.N. Security Council -- called for improvements in the previous draft resolution.
"I hope that we will manage within a few days to (agree) a resolution which meets what is, in our eyes, essential, which is to give the Iraqis the feeling that they have regained their sovereignty and the mastery of their destiny," Chirac said.
full article: www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=topNews&storyID=5352623&pageNumber=1
Sat Jun 5, 2004 07:55 PM ET
By Timothy Heritage
www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=topNews&storyID=5352623
PARIS (Reuters) - The United States and France hope an agreement will be reached soon on a U.N. resolution on the transfer of power to Iraq, presidents George W. Bush and Jacques Chirac said.
They expressed their optimism at a joint news conference on Saturday after talks intended to repair relations strained by last year's U.S.-led invasion of Iraq, which France opposed.
Even so, they avoided eye contact with each other and there was little warmth in their handshakes before cameras at the Elysee Palace. Chirac acknowledged their differences over Iraq and said the situation in the country was still "precarious."
The two leaders also made no reference to thousands of anti-war protesters who marched through Paris under banners declaring "Bush - terrorist number one!." Police kept the protesters far away from the Elysee Palace.
Bush and Chirac will continue efforts to rebuild ties on Sunday at ceremonies in Normandy commemorating the 60th anniversary of the Allied forces' landings in northern France on June 6, 1944 which helped liberate Europe during World War II.
"France and the United States have 200 years of shared history and for 200 years, for two centuries, have defended and upheld the same values -- the values of democracy, peace and human rights. Dialogue has always been easy," Chirac said.
Bush said: "We have great relations with France. We work closely with the French government on a lot of issues."
NEW DRAFT RESOLUTION
Relations have, however, been dogged by the spat over the invasion of Iraq and over plans for its future.
London and Washington submitted a new text on the transfer of power in Iraq on Friday after France, Russia and China -- veto-wielding members of the U.N. Security Council -- called for improvements in the previous draft resolution.
"I hope that we will manage within a few days to (agree) a resolution which meets what is, in our eyes, essential, which is to give the Iraqis the feeling that they have regained their sovereignty and the mastery of their destiny," Chirac said.
full article: www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=topNews&storyID=5352623&pageNumber=1