Vedrine: Embargo on Iraq proves ineffective and harsh

French Foreign Minister Hubert Vedrine said on Wednesday in a statement before the French Parliament that the embargo imposed on Iraq has proven to be "null and void."

Vedrine added that the recent French thoughts "permit the realization of progress through lifting the embargo which has proven today its futility and harshness and at the same time establish a monitor system on any possible armament and any financial revenues from lifting the embargo."

Vedrine described the French proposals submitted in January 1999 to the UN Security Council to eliminate the Iraqi crisis as "integrated and strong." He added, "But the UN has formulated the decisions which formed the framework to deal with this issue, therefore we have to work within the frame of the UN Council. And this is what we work for."