Iraq urges France and Russia to reject United Nations resolution

Iraq urged Russia and France to reject the United Nations' draft resolution that relates to suspending the sanctions on it for nine years if Baghdad cooperates with new inspections for weapons of mass destruction.

Iraqi Deputy Foreign Minister Nizar Hamdoun said in an interview with Abu Dhabi satellite television yesterday that he hopes the French stance takes into consideration the Iraqi people's interests as well as France's interests.

Hamdoun, who was Iraq's former ambassador at the UN, denied reports that the French companies Elf Aquataine and Total Fina were expelled from Iraq, adding that Iraqi newspapers said Baghdad boycotted its relations with Paris and will also expel the representatives of the wto companies if France agrees on the draft resolution on the basis of an early British copy of it.

He added that some phrases came in the Iraqi newspapers because of the Iraqis' anger with the British draft resolution and to blame France for its stance.