- News>
- World
Iraq rejects French proposal to ease UN sanctions
Iraq on Saturday rejected any proposal that would ease 11 years of UN sanctions while tightening an arms embargo, saying French-proposed changes to the draft UN resolution were equally unacceptable.
Iraq totally rejects the new French resolution, which was introduced to the Security Council, Deputy Prime Minister Tariq Aziz told the official Iraqi news agency.
From a preliminary reading of the French resolution, it
looks similar to the British resolution, but with French
makeup, Aziz said.
He did not elaborate further, and it wasn't clear if he
was referring to the French amendments in the existing
British-proposed resolution calling for lifting of
restrictions on most civilian goods entering Iraq while
toughening enforcement of an arms embargo and UN control over
Iraq's oil revenues.
The United States has endorsed the British proposal.
In New York on Friday, China joined Russia in criticising
the plan, saying it appeared aimed at punishing Baghdad rather
than easing life for Iraqis.
Bureau Report