June 1st 2003
The first French woman to occupy the post of Defence Minister, Madam Michele Alliot-Marie, is a barrister by profession, doctor of law and senior lecturer. She was appointed Minister of State with responsibility for teaching in Mr Jacques Chirac's government from 1986 to 1988. She returned to government as Minister for Youth and Sport in Mr Edouard Balladur's government from 1993 to 1995. Madam Alliot-Marie met the press yesterday on the sidelines of the Asia Security Conference. WILLIAM CHOONG gives excerpts of the interview.
United States Secretary of Defence Donald Rumsfeld said the reason why weapons of mass destruction (WMDs) were not found in Iraq was because they were destroyed before US troops arrived there. Mr Wolfowitz, in a separate interview, said that the emphasis on WMDs was a bureaucratic decision. Do you feel that these comments are a sign that the US is beginning to suggest that the threat of Iraq was overstated?
It seems to me that what has been discovered or what was said since the end of the war justifies France's preoccupation with the inspections in Iraqi territory. That was the reason why France wanted inspections to be done all the way. We continue to think that war is the worst solution and should be used as a last resort because, after all, who are the victims of war but civilians.
This being said, what is done is done. It belongs to the past, and politicians are pragmatic people. What is important now is that we should help in the reconstruction of Iraq for the sake of its people.
Did you get a chance to bump into the American Deputy Secretary of Defence (Mr Paul Wolfowitz). Did you exchange any words?
We just had lunch together. When we encountered (each other), we said hello to each other. He said, 'Nice to see you again', because I met him in Washington some months ago.
In your discussions with Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong and Defence Minister Tony Tan, was the issue of Iraq raised, given that both countries were on different sides of the fence in terms of supporting the US on Iraq?
Yes, we broached the subject of Iraq with the Prime Minister. We acknowledged the fact that our positions were different, but it was said in a climate of trust and friendship, such as the one that prevails in the relationship between France and Singapore. You can be very frank on the reasons for your position, and therefore you could easily express different opinions.
With the PM, we noted that in fact, by the way, our differences had to do with methods but not with finalities. In fact, both France and Singapore wish WMDs to be done away with.
Singapore has designated France as a 'visiting force to Singapore'. Is France going to send more troops to Singapore for training?
There are some exercises that are going on in Singapore, with different forces actually. Some are with our navy and some with the air force. We're happy to see that we're carrying out some joint drills with your forces.
Have you met Senior Minister Lee Kuan Yew?
I have not yet had the opportunity to meet him yet, but I shall. I'm very happy and look forward to meeting up with him again. I had this pleasure when he visited France a little while back and (French President Jacques) Chirac kindly invited me to a lunch that was hosted in his honour.
