FRANCE: SPANISH PRIME MINISTER JOSE MARIA AZNAR MEETS FRENCH PRESIDENT JACQUES CHIRAC
Record ID:
190480
FRANCE: SPANISH PRIME MINISTER JOSE MARIA AZNAR MEETS FRENCH PRESIDENT JACQUES CHIRAC
- Title: FRANCE: SPANISH PRIME MINISTER JOSE MARIA AZNAR MEETS FRENCH PRESIDENT JACQUES CHIRAC
- Date: 26th February 2003
- Summary: (EU) PARIS, FRANCE (25 FEBRUARY, 2003) (REUTERS AGENCY POOL) 1. PAN EXTERIOR OF ELYSEE PALACE 0.06 2. SLV ARRIVAL OF SPANISH PRIME MINISTER JOSE MARIA AZNAR IN OFFICIAL CAR 0.17 3. LV/SV FRENCH PRESIDENT JACQUES CHIRAC GREETING AZNAR/SHAKING HANDS/ENTERING ELYSEE PALACE (2 SHOTS) 0.36 4. LV/MCU/SV CHIRAC AND AZNAR INSIDE ELYSEE PALACE (4 SHOTS) 0.50 7. LV JOURNALISTS OUTSIDE ELYSEE PALACE 0.57 8. SLV FRENCH PRESIDENT JACQUES CHIRAC AND SPANISH PM JOSE AZNAR COMING OUT OF ELYSEE PALACE 1.10 9. MCU (Spanish) SPANISH PM JOSE AZNAR SAYING "The Spanish position at this stage rests on the following points: firstly, we want the crisis to continue being managed from the United Nations Security Council, because we believe the Security Council plays an essential role in ensuring world peace and security. Secondly, together with other countries, we have presented a resolution aimed precisely at uaranteeing that the Iraq issue will continue being treated through the Security Council. Thirdly, we have made the greatest effort to reach a consensus and we will continue to do so based on the central role of the Security Council, based on the need to act in the framework of the greatest possible unity to solve this crisis. Fourthly, we feel that maximum pressure on the regime of (Iraqi President) Saddam Hussein is the best guarantee to achieve, as we all wish, a peaceful solution to this crisis." 2.05 10. LV JOURNALISTS LISTENING FRENCH PRESIDENT JACQUES CHIRAC AND SPANISH PM JOSE AZNAR 2.08 11. MCU (French) FRENCH PRESIDENT JACQUES CHIRAC SAYING "On this issue, as everyone knows, we have one aim in common: that is to say, the necessity of eliminating Iraq's weapons of mass destruction. On this point there is obviously no disagreement. On the other hand, we do not share the same feeling as far as the methods for achieving this aim are concerned. As you know, France believes that there is a possibility of achieving this by peaceful means, that is to say, by means of inspections, and that, consequently, war is not inevitable; war is always the worst solution and always a failure." 2.59 12. SV AZNAR AND CHIRAC LEAVING 3.18 Initials Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved
- Embargoed: 13th March 2003 12:00
- Keywords:
- Location: PARIS, FRANCE
- Country: France
- Reuters ID: LVA7HPV0XQNNQJSX83X8RXJ3BRJ
- Story Text: Spanish Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar, a staunch
supporter of the U.S. position in the Iraq conflict, has been
received in Paris by French President Jacques Chirac, widely
seen as the champion of the anti-war efforts.
Spanish Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar, a key U.S.
ally in the crisis with Iraq, said on Wednesday (26 February, 2003)
Spain would continue to seek consensus at the United Nations
over a new resolution to put pressure on Iraq to disarm, as
this was the only way to ensure compliance.
"We have made the greatest effort to reach a consensus
and we will continue to do so based on the central role of the
Security Council, based on the need to act in the framework of
the greatest possible unity to solve this crisis," Aznar told
reporters after a meeting with French President Jacques
Chirac, the lead advocate of efforts to avoid war.
"We feel that maximum pressure on the regime of (Iraqi
President) Saddam Hussein is the best guarantee to achieve, as
we all wish, a peaceful solution to this crisis", Aznar added.
Chirac, who has led Western opposition to a military
attack against Iraq, has said he sees no need for the new
resolution. France, Germany and Russia have submitted an
alternative proposal to give weapons inspectors more time.
Speaking after the meeting with Aznar, Chirac repeated that
war was not inevitable. "War is not inevitable, war is one of
the worst solutions, and always a failure", Chirac told
reporters.
Spain this week backed a new United Nations resolution
circulated by the United States and Britain which says Baghdad
has missed a "final opportunity" to disarm peacefully and
avoid war. Spain currently holds one of the revolving seats
on the council. France, Germany and Russia have presented a
counterproposal to the U.N. Security Council aimed at giving
U.N. weapons inspections more muscle and more time. Tuesday,
Aznar said the French-German-Russian plan was not incompatible
with the draft U.N. resolution submitted Monday by the U.S.and
its two above mentioned allies.
Chirac has said he sees no need for the new resolution.
France, Germany and Russia have submitted an alternative
proposal to give weapons inspectors more time.
Despite his staunch support for Washington, Aznar has so
far given no indication about whether Spain would contribute
military forces in any drive against Baghdad.
The talks between the French and Spanish leaders came
ahead of a planned debate on the Iraq crisis in the French
parliament Wednesday, which was expected to voice broad
support for Chirac's anti-war stance.
Aznar has conceded that his backing for the U.S. is
eroding his popularity at home, but says he considers his
position a matter of principle and would not let domestic
politics interfere. Aznar is scheduled to hold talks with U.K.
Prime Minister Tony Blair Thursday.
Separately, French Foreign Minister Dominique Villepin and
his Italian counterpart Franco Frattini on Wednesday confirmed
their joint desire for peaceful disarmament in Iraq and urged
Iraq to comply actively with weapons inspectors.
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