French leader visits Iraq
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AP
Oluşturulma Tarihi: Şubat 11, 2009 00:00
BAGHDAD - President Nicolas Sarkozy made the first-ever visit by a French head of state to Iraq yesterday, seeking to reassert French influence in the country even as the United States prepares to draw down its forces.
Sarkozy urged other European nations to follow his lead and rebuild ties with the country that was shunned diplomatically because of Europe's opposition to the U.S.-led war. Sarkozy was received by Iraqi President Jalal Talabani and an honor guard in a televised welcome ceremony held outdoors despite gusty winds in Baghdad.The visit - which was unannounced beforehand as is usual with visitors to Iraq for security reasons - was the first stop by the French president as part of a regional tour that was to include travel to Oman, Bahrain and Kuwait.
The French leader, who also met later with Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, praised Iraq for successful provincial elections held last month without major violence, and he promised economic and political support for the country. "France wants to turn toward the future, the future of Iraq, which is turning the painful pages that it has been living through these past years," he said at a news conference. "For stability in the region, a united and democratic Iraq is imperative."
Sarkozy, who was accompanied by French FMBernard Kouchner, urged other European leaders to re-engage with Iraq. "We want to encourage all European countries to come," he said. "It is in Europe's interest to extend a hand here and to support the peace." Sarkozy, nicknamed "Sarko l'Americain" for his admiration and support of the United States, has been seeking to re-establish ties with Iraq and shore up relations with Washington that were deeply strained by his predecessor's opposition to the 2003 U.S. invasion.
Then-President Jacques Chirac's refusal to back the U.S.-led military effort in Iraq led to a new low in France-U.S. ties. France was vilified in U.S. public opinion. Some Americans boycotted French wines, and french fries took on the name "freedom fries" in the House of Representatives cafeteria.
New embassy and consulates
Al-Maliki told reporters the French would build a new embassy in Baghdad and open two consulates in Irbil and in Basra, the hub of Iraq's southern oil industry. Sarkozy welcomed security gains, saying the decline in violence had paved the way for his visit, but cautioned the situation remained fragile. "The situation is not perfect but who could have bet even a few months ago that I could come here for talks under these conditions?" he said. "Iraq represents a hope that has not yet reached fruition."
But highlighting the fragile stability, a bomb attached to a car belonging to one of the guards of Shiite Vice President Adel Abdul-Mahdi exploded near a hospital and less than half a mile away from the French Embassy in Baghdad yesterday, wounding the guard and two bystanders, police said.
The French leader, who also met later with Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, praised Iraq for successful provincial elections held last month without major violence, and he promised economic and political support for the country. "France wants to turn toward the future, the future of Iraq, which is turning the painful pages that it has been living through these past years," he said at a news conference. "For stability in the region, a united and democratic Iraq is imperative."
Sarkozy, who was accompanied by French FMBernard Kouchner, urged other European leaders to re-engage with Iraq. "We want to encourage all European countries to come," he said. "It is in Europe's interest to extend a hand here and to support the peace." Sarkozy, nicknamed "Sarko l'Americain" for his admiration and support of the United States, has been seeking to re-establish ties with Iraq and shore up relations with Washington that were deeply strained by his predecessor's opposition to the 2003 U.S. invasion.
Then-President Jacques Chirac's refusal to back the U.S.-led military effort in Iraq led to a new low in France-U.S. ties. France was vilified in U.S. public opinion. Some Americans boycotted French wines, and french fries took on the name "freedom fries" in the House of Representatives cafeteria.
New embassy and consulates
Al-Maliki told reporters the French would build a new embassy in Baghdad and open two consulates in Irbil and in Basra, the hub of Iraq's southern oil industry. Sarkozy welcomed security gains, saying the decline in violence had paved the way for his visit, but cautioned the situation remained fragile. "The situation is not perfect but who could have bet even a few months ago that I could come here for talks under these conditions?" he said. "Iraq represents a hope that has not yet reached fruition."
But highlighting the fragile stability, a bomb attached to a car belonging to one of the guards of Shiite Vice President Adel Abdul-Mahdi exploded near a hospital and less than half a mile away from the French Embassy in Baghdad yesterday, wounding the guard and two bystanders, police said.