French Foreign Minister Dominique de Villepin called on Iran to sign an additional protocol to the nuclear non-proliferation treaty that would allow unlimited inspections of any sites under suspicion.
"We think it is essential to continue confidence-building measures, in particular by signing the additional protocol of the nuclear non-proliferation treaty as demanded by Mr. ElBaradei," de Villepin told a press conference.
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Mohamed ElBaradei has already urged Iran to sign the protocol allowing unlimited and surprise inspections by international experts of any suspect sites.
At a press conference in Tehran on Wednesday night, the French minister said "We are still the United States' friend and ally."
On the current situation in Iraq, he said, "We think about the future of that country, and believe serious steps should be taken to reconstruct the political and economic structure of Iraq now." The French foreign minister added, "international efforts need to be made in order to witness appropriate reconstruction and rapid advancement of Iraq."
Referring to the need to establish a democratic political system in Iraq as soon as possible, he said, "The Iraqi nation trusts the Iraqi citizens, since they are from among themselves, and can feel the problems with which their nation is entangled." (Albawaba.com)
© 2003 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
