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Powell france afraid Original Source Link: (May no longer be active)    http://abcnews.go.com/wire/World/ap20030219_924.html http://abcnews.go.com/wire/World/ap20030219_924.html Powell: Anti-War Nations 'Afraid' of Duty Anti-War Countries 'Afraid' of Responsibility to Disarm Iraq, Secretary of State Powell Says The Associated Press PARIS Feb. 19 — Secretary of State Colin Powell on Wednesday said countries like France that oppose swift military action against Iraq are afraid of upholding their responsibility to disarm Baghdad by force. Powell's comments, in an interview broadcast on France-Inter radio and translated into French, were clearly directed at French President Jacques Chirac, who believes that U.N. weapons inspectors should be given more time and muscle to complete their job. "It is not a satisfactory solution to continue inspections indefinitely because certain countries are afraid of upholding their responsibility to impose the will of the international community," Powell said. The latest trans-Atlantic gibe more evidence of the deep division separating the United States and most European countries from France, Germany and Belgium came after Chirac said nations of the former Soviet bloc in Central and Eastern Europe should remain silent on the Iraq dispute. Powell said "time is running out" for Baghdad to disarm and that strengthening the inspection system was not the solution. "The problem is not more inspectors or a longer inspection process," Powell said. "My French colleagues believes that is the problem: It isn't." Powell confirmed the United States and its allies were drafting a new U.N. Security Council resolution for military action against Iraq, but did not provide details about the content, nor did he say when it might be presented. But he reiterated that Washington believes it already has the authority under November's resolution 1441 to invade Iraq. France, along with Russia and Germany, says there is no need for a new resolution for as long as inspections continue to yield results. Paris has left open whether it would veto such a resolution. "I would also point out that many of us and certainly the United States believes there is the necessary authority under resolution 1441 to take action," Powell said. Powell said Baghdad admitted during the inspection process in the 1990s that it possessed weapons of mass destruction, "but they won't tell us what happened to the material." "I think we owe it to the international community and the world to get the right answer," Powell said. photo credit and caption: French Foreign Minister Dominique de Villepin walks past a Republican Guard as he leaves Matignon Hotel after a meeting on Iraq with Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin and leaders of the National Assembly and Senate, in Paris Tuesday Feb. 18, 2003. (AP Photo/Laurent Rebours) Copyright 2003 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Chirac fortifies antiwar caucus { February 22 2003 } Chirac listed for nobel prize { February 20 2003 } East europe dismayed at chirac { February 19 2003 } France accused oil for peace France chides washington world view { June 14 2003 } France germany agrees { January 22 2003 } France nothing justifies war France opposes second resolution { February 23 2003 } France threatens east europe { February 18 2003 } France vows block resolution { January 21 2003 } Freedom fries { March 13 2003 } Fuque the french { March 14 2003 } Gop targets wine { February 12 2003 } Kroq calls chirac { March 13 2003 } No longer ally Not convinced by blair Powell france afraid Us warns france { February 25 2003 } War split international community { February 26 2003 } Files Listed: 19

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