The British government believes French President Jacques Chirac will finally back a second Security Council resolution authorizing an attack on Iraq.
The British press reported on Monday that Chirac and British Prime Minister Tony Blair are to discuss the latest developments on the Iraq crisis when they meet Tuesday in Le Touquet, northern France.
The Guardian headlined its story: "Chirac will change line on Iraq, predicts Downing Street".
The Times, also quoting senior British officials, said Chirac knew that he had already "gone too far" in his anti-war stance and he was amazed to find that seven other European countries had joined Britain in signing a pro-US letter on Iraq published Thursday in the international press.
Meanwhile, Iraq's U.N. ambassador said Sunday he would ask to speak to the Security Council after Secretary of State Colin Powell presents what the United States claims will be new evidence of Iraq's weapons programs and links to al-Qaeda.
Ambassador Mohammed Al-Douri he would make a formal request Monday to the council president, Germany's U.N. Ambassador Gunter Pleuger, to speak after the secretary of state's address Wednesday.
"We will assert our position that we have no link with al-Qaeda, whatever Mr. Colin Powell says," Al-Douri said. "We will also assert our position to be fully cooperative with the inspectors, and we will state that the meeting on Feb. 8-9 (with top weapons inspectors Hans Blix and Mohamed ElBaradei) will produce positive results."
"It has been decided they will not send anyone, so I will represent the country," Al-Douri told The Associated Press. "I will ask to speak."
Al-Douri said his response will depend on what Powell and other council members have to say. From media reports, the ambassador said, "We don't think he will present something spectacular." (Albawaba.com)
© 2003 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
