Chirac: France will veto UN resolution on Iraq

President Jacques Chirac tonight said that France was prepared to veto the US-backed resolution on Iraq if necessary, joining Russia in saying it would vote against giving Saddam Hussein until March 17 to disarm.

Chirac said in a televised interview that France would vote against any resolution that contains an ultimatum leading to war: “No matter what the circumstances we will vote ’no.”’

It was the first time Chirac explicitly said France would use its veto power as a permanent member of the UN Security Council to block the United States’ quest for world body approval for war.

However, Chirac also indicated the veto might not be needed because the resolution does not have the nine Security Council votes needed for passage.

“Tonight this resolution, which carries an ultimatum ... does not have a majority of nine votes,” Chirac said.

Asked whether he believed that voting against the resolution would seriously damage relations with the United States, Chirac said “I am totally convinced of the opposite.”

Chirac said US President George W Bush meant it when he declared a few days ago that “France and Germany are our friends, and will continue to be”.

Chirac’s statements came shortly after Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov said Russia – another veto-wielding Security Council member -would vote against the US-British UN resolution.

Although the Kremlin has consistently opposed war against Iraq, there was wide speculation that it would ultimately choose to abstain rather than vote against.

“The latest (UN weapons) inspectors’ report confirms that there is no need to change” the inspection program currently under way in Iraq, Chirac said.

The president said France will not support military action until the inspectors explicitly tell the UN Security Council that they cannot reach their objective of certifying Iraq free of weapons of mass destruction.

“Nothing indicates that this path (of inspections) leads to a dead end,” Chirac said.

Chirac also said that it would be a “dangerous precedent” if the US went ahead with a war unilaterally. He added that France would not participate in such a fight.

“We are not engaged and we will not be if there is not a decision by the UN,” he said.

“The inspectors believe that by giving them the necessary time and means, the objective of eliminating weapons of mass destruction can be reached,” Chirac said.

Chirac said his decision on whether to travel New York to attend a possible vote depends on how many other leaders agree to attend. Chirac had proposed a gathering of heads of state at the Security Council to discuss the crisis over Iraq.

The UN Security Council is bitterly divided over the ultimatum, which is supported by the United States, Britain and Spain – and strongly opposed by France, Russia, China and Germany. Chirac and other opponents argue that UN weapons inspections are showing results and should be strengthened to peacefully disarm Iraq.

Meanwhile, a poll released today said 69% of respondents supported France’s possible use of a veto against a US-backed UN Security Council resolution authorising force against Iraq.