RIYADH, 28 October — A war with Iraq could destabilize the Middle East and lead to an increase in terrorism, French Defense Minister Michele Alliot-Marie warned yesterday.
"More attacks would be feared," if a new conflict over Iraq breaks out, said the minister at the end of a two-day visit to the Kingdom. "Apart from organized networks, individual acts (of terrorism) would be feared," and they would be "more difficult to predict and to fight against."
Alliot-Marie said she was more optimistic today than a few weeks ago about the Iraqi situation, putting the chances of war at "50-50". To avoid a conflict, "it is essential in concrete terms to destroy weapons in Iraq and the UN inspectors must be able to do their work in total freedom," she said.
"War is the worst thing. It must be the final recourse, that’s why we have to reach these targets without having recourse (to war)." Iraq was one of the main subjects of the minister’s talks in Riyadh, notably with Crown Prince Abdullah, deputy premier and commander of the National Guard, on Saturday. US efforts to force a tough new resolution to disarm Iraq through the United Nations face key tests this week with France threatening to submit counter-proposals.
The minister told Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper that Saudi Arabia and France enjoyed a "strategic partnership." "France and Saudi Arabia are linked by strong relations based on mutual understanding and a close partnership," she said. The partnership "is comprehensive and strategic because defense relations between the two sides have reached their highest level."
Alliot-Marie highlighted the importance of Saudi-French relations, and said she had exchanged views with Saudi officials on means of enhancing the pillars of stability in the region and combating international terrorism She commended the efforts exerted by the Kingdom in confronting terrorism, and said Saudi Arabia and France had agreed to enhance cooperation in this respect.
