Iraq against US conditions undermining its sovereignty

Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister Tariq Aziz announced that Iraq would have been able to lift the sanctions that have been imposed on it for more than seven years should it have committed itself to US conditions, noting, "Iraq will not do so in order to preserve its sovereignty."

In a statement to the United Arab Emirates' Gulf daily, Aziz asserted that the Iraqi government can enter into talks with the US, but on the grounds of preserving its independence. Aziz noted that Iraq prefers to maintain relations with companies in Europe, Russia and China, as "working with companies as such means preserving Iraq's independence."

He added, "It is silly to think that working with US companies will lead to lifting the embargo imposed on Iraq."

Aziz, who recently visited Paris, denied news that Iraq has signed oil accords with French companies, but he indicated talks are being held with the French side in this respect.