RUSSIA: FRANCE AND RUSSIA VOICE SUPPORT FOR A KEY ROLE FOR U.N. IN IRAQ AND BACK CALLS FOR U.N. RESOLUTION TO GUARANTEE A GENUINE TRANSFER OF POWER

Record ID: 646640

  • Title: RUSSIA: FRANCE AND RUSSIA VOICE SUPPORT FOR A KEY ROLE FOR U.N. IN IRAQ AND BACK CALLS FOR U.N. RESOLUTION TO GUARANTEE A GENUINE TRANSFER OF POWER
  • Date: 19th April 2004
  • Summary: MOSCOW, RUSSIA (APRIL 19, 2004) (REUTERS) 1. WS: RUSSIAN FOREIGN MINISTER SERGEI LAVROV AND FRENCH FOREIGN MINISTER MICHEL BARNIER AND DELEGATIONS ENTER ROOM AT THE START OF TALKS 0.21 2. CU/WS/SCU: BARNIER AND LAVROV DURING TALKS (3 SHOTS) 0.42 3. WIDE OF MEETING 0.47 4. BARNIER AND LAVROV WALKING OUT AT THE END OF TALKS TO BRIEF JOURNALISTS 1.03 5. REPORTERS 1.08 6. (SOUNDBITE) (French) FRENCH FOREIGN MINISTER MICHEL BARNIER SAYING: "I think whatever Mr. (Lakdhar) Brahimi tells us is very important; and besides it is important to know what the U.N. Secretary General says. I think that the keys to the solution of the problem are in his hands, and he should tell us under which conditions the interim government should be set up, which will be a genuinely representative government, which will be the respected government and the government which will be capable of making appropriate decisions." 1.37 7. OFFICIALS AT BRIEFING 1.44 8. (SOUNDBITE) (French) FRENCH FOREIGN MINISTER MICHEL BARNIER SAYING: "A U.N. resolution can be adopted to consolidate this process (the handover of power to an Iraqi government). And then we will have a second resolution and organise a conference between all groups in Iraq, followed by an international conference. All of this needs to be done before planned elections in (Iraq) in January 2005." 2.13 9. (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) RUSSIAN FOREIGN MINISTER SERGEI LAVROV SAYING "I only want to add, that I completely agree that the most important goal at the moment is to set up a legitimate government (in Iraq) that enjoys wide support of the Iraqi population." 2.26 10. BARNIER AND LAVROV DURING NEWS BRIEFING 2.30 11. (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) RUSSIAN FOREIGN MINISTER SERGEI LAVROV SAYING: "This (election for a new government) can only be done by Iraqis themselves with the involvement of all the political groups in Iraq and only with the help of the United Nations." 2.44 12. WIDE OF NEWS BRIEFING/ LAVROV AND BARNIER LEAVING FOR DINNER 3.00 Initials Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved
  • Embargoed: 4th May 2004 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: MOSCOW, RUSSIA
  • Country: Russia
  • Reuters ID: LVAC3Y5GNDA4VCTP83H95XNKZ71T
  • Story Text: Russia and France back calls for a new U.N.

    resolution to guarantee a genuine transfer of power in
    Iraq.


    Russia and France on Monday (April 19, 2004) voiced
    support for a key role for the United Nations in Iraq and a
    Security Council resolution to guarantee a genuine transfer
    of power to the Iraqi people when the U.S.-led occupation
    ends on June 30.

    The two countries' common position was outlined by
    French Foreign Minister Michel Barnier after talks in
    Moscow with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov.

    Barnier set down an agenda on Monday for a smooth
    transition of power in Iraq from U.S.-led occupation to
    local authority, including at least two U.N. resolutions
    and one major conference.

    The French foreign minister had talks in Paris at the
    weekend on Sunday with senior U.N. Iraq envoy Lakhdar
    Brahimi.

    He said he had supported a proposal by Brahimi for a
    national "conference" gathering Iraq's political forces
    before June 30 to consolidate the transfer of power.

    "I think whatever Mr. (Lakdhar) Brahimi tells us is
    very important; and besides it is important to know what
    the U.N. Secretary General says. I think that the keys to
    the solution of the problem are in his hands, and he should
    tell us under which conditions the interim government
    should be set up, which will be a genuinely representative
    government, which will be the respected government and the
    government which will be capable of making appropriate
    decisions.

    "And a U.N. resolution can be adopted to consolidate
    this process (the handover of power to an Iraqi
    government). And then we will have a second resolution and
    organise a conference between all groups in Iraq, followed
    by an international conference. All of this needs to be
    done before planned elections in (Iraq) in January 2005,"
    added Barnier.

    Russia's Lavrov said Iraqis had to have the main say in
    choosing their future government.

    "This (election for a new government) can only be done
    by Iraqis themselves with the involvement of all the
    political groups in Iraq and only with the help of the
    United Nations," said Lavrov.

    France and Russia opposed the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq
    last year. The United States, which led a multinational
    force to drive Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein from power last
    year, says it will transfer sovereignty to the Iraqi people
    on June 30.

    Paris's and Moscow's stance on a new Iraq resolution
    echoed comments by European Union foreign policy chief
    Javier Solana on Friday (April 16) after meeting of EU
    foreign ministers in Ireland.



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