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European powers back lifting sanctions Original Source Link: (May no longer be active)    http://www.upi.com/view.cfm?StoryID=20030521-060641-8078r http://www.upi.com/view.cfm?StoryID=20030521-060641-8078r European powers back U.N. resolution By Elizabeth Bryant United Press International From the International Desk Published 5/21/2003 6:54 PM PARIS, May 21 (UPI) -- France, Russia and Germany agreed Wednesday to back a U.S.-led resolution at the U.N. Security Council to lift decade-plus-long sanctions against Iraq. The announcement was made in Paris, following a meeting by foreign ministers from all three countries -- Europe's staunchest opponents of the war on Baghdad. "We have decided to vote for the resolution, and to work to find a consensus in the Security Council," said a joint statement by the three foreign ministers, after talks late Wednesday. French Foreign Minister Dominique de Villepin read it during an evening news conference with all three parties. Although the U.S. resolution "did not go as far as we would have hoped," the statement said, the United Nations would be "closely involved in the political process" of reconstructing post-war Iraq. The announcement marks a new softening by three of Europe's staunchest opponents to the war in Iraq. Only Tuesday, French President Jacques Chirac signaled he wanted the draft resolution to grant greater role for the United Nations in post-war Iraq. In addition, Paris has previously called only for suspending sanctions, not lifting them, in the short run. But Chirac -- who led international opposition to the war -- has also announced France would adopt a more so-called "pragmatic" approach, now the conflict was over. U.S. officials have responded by suggesting the obvious first step toward mending frayed transatlantic relations would be backing the sanctions-lifting resolution. Like France, Russia and Germany also backed a more prominent U.N. role than what was outlined by the Bush administration. France and Russia are permanent Security Council members, with veto-bearing power. Germany currently holds one of the council's rotating seats. The announcement by the three comes on the eve of a Group of Eight foreign ministers' meeting in Paris. That meeting will include U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell, who arrives to the French capital Thursday, marking the highest-level visit by a Bush administration official since the war. Chirac and U.S. President George W. Bush are also expected to meet during an early June G8 summit in Evian, France. Copyright © 2001-2003 United Press International

Bush speaks to leaders france germany russia debt { December 10 2003 } End to sanctions { April 16 2003 } European powers back lifting sanctions France suggests end sanctions Iraqis now mostly menial jobs { August 5 2004 } Iraqis paying 5cents a gallon for gas { June 5 2004 } Sabotage threatens iraqs economy Security council ends sanctions Senate approves rebuilding loan { October 17 2003 } Worldbank withdraw presence { August 20 2003 } Files Listed: 10

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