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France and Iraq restore diplomatic relations
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France and Iraq restore diplomatic relations
After a 13-year break over Baghdad’s 1990 invasion of Kuwait, France and Iraq restored diplomatic relations yesterday. The French Foreign Ministry said the two countries had agreed to install ambassadors quickly. France opposed the U.S.-led war that toppled Saddam Hussein last year but wants a share of reconstruction projects following the war.
“The government of the Republic of France and the government of the Republic of Iraq (...) took the decision to re-establish diplomatic relations from July 12, 2004 and to exchange ambassadors without delay”, the ministry said in a statement.
France has rejected U.S. requests for military help in quelling violence in Iraq. But it has said it is willing to help train Iraqi security forces and supports limited forgiveness of Iraqi debt to help Baghdad.
France has also made clear it wants its firms to have a share of potentially lucrative reconstruction contracts to help rebuild Iraq.
“The two governments are convinced that this decision will contribute to the tightening of links and exchanges between France and Iraq and will be in the interest of both countries.”
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