����WASHINGTON, July 11 (Xinhuanet) -- Visiting French Foreign Minister
Dominique de Villepin on Thursday urged the United Statesto forge a
consensus with its allies before taking military actions to overthrow the
Iraqi government led by President Saddam Hussein.
����"We had a good discussion on Iraq, and the minister made the point
that as we examine the situation in Iraq, we should do so ina way of full
consultation with our friends and to make sure that the international
community is educated with respect to the dangers associated with Iraq, so
that a consensus can be developedas to what might be necessary," US
Secretary of State Colin Powelltold reporters at a joint appearance with
de Villepin.
����"The minister also made the point that legitimacy with respect to
any actions that might be taken was an important factor that should be
considered," Powell added.
����De Villepin, for his part, said that Iraq should respect related UN
resolutions and accept the return of UN weapons inspectors.
����As to the Middle East conflict, the French minister stressed the
need for a peace initiative to create a momentum for peace in the region.
����"The vacuum in the region can be very dangerous. We should not let
the terrorists and the people who don't want peace take the initiative,"
he said, without mentioning a peace proposal put forward by US President
George W. Bush last month.
����Bush has insisted on new Palestinian leadership and institutions
before supporting the creation of a provisional Palestinian state and an
eventual solution to the Middle East conflict. Enditem
