NATO role in Iraq to be decided by UN, Iraq: Chirac

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Tuesday, February 24, 2004

NATO role in Iraq to be decided by UN, Iraq: Chirac

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France considers that present conditions are not met for a NATO role in Iraq but it does not rule out the possibility of such a role if requested by the UnitedNations and Iraq, French President Jacques Chirac said Monday.

"We still do not see the conditions in which a NATO engagement would be possible," Chirac said in an interview with the Hungariannewspaper Nepszabadsag published Monday and made public by his office.

"The future Iraqi government would have to make the request andthe United Nations decide to entrust a mandate to any NATO force,"Chirac added.

Chirac also reiterated that the handover of sovereignty from coalition forces to an Iraqi administration should be accomplishedby June 30.

"France wishes for success in the rebuilding of a stable and democratic Iraq in the fastest possible time and the return of full Iraqi sovereignty from July 1. There should be no delay," Chirac said.

Chirac is on an official visit to Hungary from Feb. 23 to 24.

On Feb. 19, French Foreign Minister Dominique de Villepin made similar remarks, saying that France can envisage a NATO force in Iraq if it is approved by a sovereign Iraqi government and by the United Nations.

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