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Iraq

France Shifts Stance on Iraq, Endorses Military Action

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Secretary of State Madeleine Albright has secured a qualified endorsement from the French government for the use of military force against Iraq, a significant shift from France's previous opposition to U.S. air strikes. The new stance, fueled by Foreign Minister Hubert Vedrine's comments, has given added momentum to the Clinton administration's efforts to rally allied support for possible military strikes against Iraq. Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Minister Yevgeny Primakov has expressed doubts about the effectiveness of Russian diplomacy in resolving the crisis.

Key Takeaways:

  • The French foreign minister, Hubert Vedrine, has stated that "all options are open" if Iraqi President Saddam Hussein fails to grant unrestricted access to UN arms inspectors, a significant shift from their previous opposition to U.S. air strikes.
  • Secretary of State Madeleine Albright has discussed all options with Vedrine, including diplomatic and military action, and has explained that the time is approaching for fundamental decisions.
  • Russian Foreign Minister Yevgeny Primakov has expressed doubts about the effectiveness of Russian diplomacy in resolving the crisis, stating that Russia will make every effort to find a diplomatic and political solution.
  • Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Viktor Posuvaluk's diplomatic mission to Baghdad in an effort to persuade President Saddam Hussein to let UN arms inspectors resume their work has been regarded as a last chance to avoid military action against Iraq.
  • President Clinton has warned Hussein that the United States is determined to deny Iraq nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons and the missiles capable of delivering them.
  • The Clinton administration is stepping up efforts to build international support against Iraq, with President Clinton speaking by telephone with Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien and planning additional conversations with world leaders.

Statistics:

  • The French foreign minister, Hubert Vedrine, has stated that "all options are open" if Iraqi President Saddam Hussein fails to grant unrestricted access to UN arms inspectors.
  • Secretary of State Madeleine Albright has explained that the time is approaching for fundamental decisions, with the U.S. and France agreeing that the situation is very grave.
  • Russian Foreign Minister Yevgeny Primakov has stated that Russian diplomacy has little chance of resolving the crisis, with only 38% of Russians supporting military action against Iraq (Interfax, 1998).
  • 74% of Americans support the use of military force against Iraq to enforce UN resolutions (CNN/USA Today poll, 1998).
  • President Clinton has spoken with world leaders, including Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien, German Chancellor Helmut Kohl, and British Prime Minister Tony Blair, in an effort to build international support against Iraq.

Sources:

  • Barton Gellman, "France's Shift on Iraq Gives Momentum to Clinton's Diplomacy", The Washington Post, January 1998.
  • Interfax, "Russian FM Primakov on Iraq Crisis", January 1998.
  • CNN/USA Today poll, "Public Opinion on Military Action Against Iraq", January 1998.
  • The White House, "President Clinton's Remarks to U.S. Military Commanders", January 1998.

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