Powell: US still disappointed with France

America is not over its deep disappointment with France for its opposition to the war in Iraq, US Secretary of State Colin Powell said in Paris.

Powell was having breakfast today with French Foreign Minister Dominique de Villepin. He said disagreements with France, which led a campaign at the UN against the US-led invasion, could not be forgotten.

“I would not say we have punished France,” Powell said. “There has been a review of some activities that take place between the United States and France, some of the military activities” which might be reduced.

De Villepin said the US and France should try to reduce their differences. He said relations had been good but sometimes heated, and France is trying to resolve the issue.

De Villepin said US President George Bush spoke by telephone yesterday with French President Jacques Chirac, mainly about the annual Group of Eight summit.

Bush joins the leaders of Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Canada, Japan and Russia for the June 1-3 summit in the French town of Evian.

Powell said the US will have to “see if certain changes are necessary” in its relations with France.

“We would have preferred that France be at our side in the liberation of Iraq and not be critical and opposed to us,” he said yesterday.

“But because we are friends and allies for so many years, such a disagreement won’t end the alliance or the friendship.”

As Powell was speaking, the UN Security Council voted 14-0 in favour of a resolution backing the US-led administration of Iraq and lifting sanctions.

“It is a wonderful day for the Iraqi people,” Powell said. “Now they can see the benefits of liberation as other nations come to help with restoring stability, peacekeeping operations and reconstruction.”