France, Iraq restore diplomatic ties as Baghdad to mend FP

By: Nabil Raza

PARIS, France: The French Foreign Ministry said Monday Paris and Baghdad have restored diplomatic relations that were severed 13 years ago after the start of the Gulf War in which France was one of 34 countries allied in pushing Iraqi forces out of Kuwait.

As the announcement was made simultaneously in France and Iraq Monday, a French flag was raised above the newly-established French embassy - used as France's interests section since 1995 - in the Iraqi capital, and a plaque inscribed with French Embassy was placed at the entrance of the building.

France thus becomes the latest country to re-establish ties, following in the wake of the United States and Britain.

“The government of the French Republic and the government of Iraq... on the basis of mutual respect for their sovereignty and in accordance with the principles of the UN Charter have taken the decision to re-establish diplomatic relations from July 12,” the French foreign ministry said in a statement.

It said: “The two governments are convinced that this decision will contribute to a strengthening of links between France and Iraq and to an intensification of their exchanges, in the best interests of the two countries.”

At the weekend, Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari told AFP in an interview that Baghdad would soon name ambassadors to 43 countries around the world, including neighboring Iran, Kuwait and Syria as well as European states. He called the move a “major step towards the rehabilitation of Iraq's foreign policy.” The new ministry has already sent 250 diplomats to 19 countries, from Egypt to Japan, he said.

Iraqi officials have already accepted the credentials of seven ambassadors, including representatives from the US and Britain.

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